The Unemployed Help Centre in benefitting from a $35,000 donation from Unifor Local 200 and its retirees.
The new addition to the centre, opened in the fall, will be called the "Unifor Local 200 People's Choice Pantry" in honour of the donation.
CEO June Muir says the new addition is not just being called a food bank because it's operated with a different model.
"We felt this model would absolutely give [our clients] dignity and respect because they are able grab a cart, go shopping and feel like they're in a grocery store," says Muir.
Client Tiffany Frias says she appreciates the shopping model because it allows her to select food specific to her health needs.
"They have fresh vegetables, which a lot of places don't have. It's usually all canned food, which isn't necessarily always the best for you. So, to have that variety, to have vegetables and fresh fruit it adds nice, healthy things to your diet," says Frias.
In addition to the donation, the retirees purchased a giving tree, which will be placed in the resource centre. For a $500 donation community members can buy a leaf on the tree. The money goes towards purchasing food and materials for the food bank.
"Every time we come here there's a need in this community and in this facility to stock the shelves and that shouldn't be happening in this day and age," says Chris Taylor, president of Unifor Local 200.
He says all levels of government need to step up to provide better supports and create good paying jobs.
In addition to the food pantry, the Unemployed Help Centre offers cooking lessons, nutrition guidance and job supports.