Construction begins at Winnipeg Harvest. (Photo courtesy of Winnipeg Harvest)

The Winnipeg Foundation recently approved a grant of $250,000 in support of Winnipeg Harvest’s office and warehouse expansion.

For more than 25 years, Winnipeg Harvest has collected food for community agencies. Last year it distributed more than 9.8 million pounds of food to more than 320 member organizations.

The facility improvements, including more efficient docking bays for trucks, and increased space for food storage and offices, will help Winnipeg Harvest move food more efficiently into the community.

The grant will also help support the organization’s on-site training facilities. Winnipeg Harvest offers opportunities for volunteers and food bank clients to learn: forklift operation, clerical work, non-violent crisis intervention, resume preparation and job search techniques. Winnipeg Harvest also hosts work placements and helps unemployed adults rejoin the workforce.

Winnipeg Harvest is one of several organizations receiving support through the $1.2 million distributed in the most recent round of grants made by The Winnipeg Foundation.