After almost a year, the municipality of North Saanich agreed to help fund the Sidney Lion's food bank during their committee of the whole meeting Monday night.
North Saanich was approached in August of 2011 by Sidney council with a request for ongoing donations toward the food bank’s utility costs and a one-time contribution to help the organization settle into its new location in Iroquois Park.
Mayor Alice Finall said council gave the request consideration when it was received in August of last year, but they were unsure of the municipality's budget at that point. The final annual report was presented at Monday's meeting and the motion was passed unanimously to cost-share the food bank with Sidney and Central Saanich.
"We're very pleased we've been able to assist with cost-sharing the food bank with the two other municipalities," said Finall, who also highlighted the municipality's donation of fresh food to the cause.
"We will again be donating our excess fresh food from our gardens at the hall to the food bank," Finall said of the garden on municipal hall’s grounds. "In a few weeks we should have lettuce and we're hoping to have lots of fruit from the orchard this year as well."
For 2012 the municipality will contribute $3,800 to the projected operating costs of the food bank and will also make a one-time contribution in the sum of $12,500 for bank relocation costs – the same amount contributed by Central Saanich.
The food bank pays $1 a year rent for the building at Iroquois Park. The Town of Sidney also covers the cost of utilities.
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