"I realize how important this place is for the community," says Keats. "It's a family for a lot of people."
Having been born and raised in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, joining the Food Depot was just the natural thing for her to do, after working at other community organizations such as Santropol Roulant.
She will spend the first few months restructuring the Depot before concentrating on launching new programs.
"Right now, the focus is on looking inside," says Keats. "There has been a lot of growth in the food bank in the last 10 years but what I'm seeing is that the infrastructure that's required to house that growth isn't here."
Her ideas for the future include developing more food programs, cooking courses and workshops. Ultimately, she hopes to reinforce the organization's place in the community by turning it into a space "where people are transformed, learn new skills and are connected to each other."
But there are also challenges to face. Keats says the NDG Food Depot has seen the number of its beneficiaries rise over the past year, a phenomenon she attributes to the current economic climate. She is convinced that in tough times like these, the Depot shouldn't focus on food security only.
"We have to keep giving out food, but how can we play a role in the community looking at the systemic issues around food security, such as equitable welfare policies, homelessness or affordable housing?" she asks.
Since its creation in 1986, the NDG Food Depot has been distributing emergency food baskets to local families. It is also hosting the Good Food Box, a collective buying group that allows subscribers to buy fresh vegetables at wholesale prices and a Food Kiosk where Depot users can watch volunteers demonstrate new recipes.
"We're trying to show people how to be creative with the food that they get," explains Keats.
The NDG Food Depot is currently looking for volunteer drivers and is always welcoming donations, especially during summer months. For more information call 514-483-4680.
NDG Food Depot welcomes new Executive Director
NDG Food Depot welcomes new Executive Director
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Published on
May 20, 2009
- Published on February 6, 2010
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Flavie Halais
For Fiona Keats, it's all about connecting people.
Although only five weeks into her new job as Executive Director of the NDG Food Depot, Keats has already understood that the local organization is way more than just a local food bank.
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Comments
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- Nicole Garand
- - March 22, 2010 at 11:34:14
Hi, I was pleasantly surprised and elated to hear of Fiona Keats' new position as Executive Director of the NDG food depot. I have been a leader with the Montreal West Scout Group for 15 years and, each year, all levels of our scouting group go door to door, in their allocated area, to collect food for the NDG food depot. As an aside, beavers, cubs, scouts, etc., all enjoy this special evening. They come back with a great sense of pride and, we as leaders, are elated to see their glowing faces when they return with their bagfuls of goodies. On another topic, I knew Fiona as a child, daugher of an old friend of mine, Denise, who moved to California in the 80s. Just a few weeks ago, I found a beautiful 8 x 10 photo of Fiona as a child. At that moment, I contemplated trying to find her ....et voila, an article appears in the Gazette and in the Westmount Examiner! I would appreciate if you can send me her email address; if this is not possible, I suppose I will have to pay her a visit and the Food Depot. Thank you for publishing this article; and I hope to hear from you soon. Kind Regards, Nicole Garand (Raksha) Montreal West Scout Group Leader 514-482-4423 514-240-3048
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