By Nea Maaty
(Nea is a journalist with the FOCUS Media Arts Centre

On August 12, 2021, the St. James Town Co-op launched an outdoor emergency food distribution pop-up in an open space behind the swimming pool located at 275 Bleecker and Wellesley Street.  Located in the middle of the neighborhood, this pop-up was a temporary substitute for the regular food distribution in the Wellesley Community Centre.  The Wellesley Community Centre, located at 200 Wellesley Street is now been used as a vaccination clinic.

 The importance of the pop up was to distribute emergency food to residents struggling with food insecurity.  Although the Co-op is struggling to secure a place for their food insecurity initiative, making sure that the needs of the community have been met is the Co-op first priority.

Yasmine, the Food distribution department manager explains to us how the initiative tries to offer different kinds of food that is culturally appropriate and that would keep the community healthy and fed. “There are a lot of people who know about this initiative." said Yasmine. " Sometimes, more than we can afford to cover.”

The outdoor pop-up was not an easy project to put together.  The organizers had difficulties while setting up this event.  Izewei Kuwe, a volunteer responsible for the food delivery department,  explained that their pop up has faced different weather challenges like wind and rain, hot weather and the difficulty of keeping certain foods, like milk and eggs,  without a fridge. These items are important especially for kids' growth and many low income parents would find difficulties affording them to their children.  Nevertheless the Co-op continued to find a way to persevere and more than one member of the community indicated that it’s heartening to see them doing their best to support food security in St. James Town.
 
It's also worth mentioning that the co-op has been struggling with funding since March and they continue to be persistent in creating a neighbourhood without hunger.  
 
The St. James Town Food Pop Up will last till the end of August or September, supporting the neighbourhood with emergency food.