Collingwood’s library impressed a dragon and took home an award last week.
The Collingwood Public Library Pantry Program – first started in 2018 as a way to fill in food security gaps in Collingwood – was announced on Friday as the first-prize winner of the Larry Moore Dragon’s Den Challenge during the Ontario Library Association Super Conference.
The pitch-style competition saw libraries from across the country compete for a $5,000 prize.
“There was stiff competition from some larger systems,” said Katelyn Bernath, co-ordinator of teen services and outreach at the library, listing representatives from Nova Scotia, Hamilton, Waterloo and Mississauga as competitors.
Speakers had the opportunity to provide a one-minute presentation in front of judges and other competitors, and answered questions for four minutes.
“I found it intimidating,” said Bernath, with a laugh. “We chose to pitch the pantry program because it is non-traditional library services, and we felt it would stand out.”
The program originally started in 2018, initially as a hot-meal program on Mondays at the library.
“We were finding mixed attendance. So some days we were really busy and did not have enough food, and others we would get like two people and have to throw stuff out,” said Bernath. “So we re-evaluated and decided to start a pantry program instead of the weekly hot meal as a way of getting more people help.”
Bernath said people regularly come into the library asking for food. Between September 2019 and January 2020, she said 150 people have been served by the program, with the youngest independent visitor being six years old.
“It’s as close to barrier-free as we can get,” she said.
There are three kits available depending on need. The first is a dinner-for-four kit.
“The idea for that is if you’ve run out of money and the food bank isn’t open until tomorrow, or it’s a bridge between a food shortage and payday. This is dinner for a family,” said Bernath.
The second kit is intended for people who don’t have cooking facilities, and the third is designed for children including peanut-free, school-safe snacks.
Bernath said the purpose of the program is not to become a food bank, but to supplement services that already exist in Collingwood to ensure no one falls through the cracks and goes hungry.
“The food bank does a fantastic job,” said Bernath. “The issue is they’re tied by the number of hours they’re allowed to be open in a week, and their own mandate that says they have to have certain proof from people, such as I.D. and income verification before they can provide food.”
“The idea of this is it’s for people who maybe don’t have that information; they can still access this small amount of emergency food,” she added.
Bernath applied to compete in the pitch competition at the annual conference in Toronto, and the Collingwood Public Library was chosen along with nine other libraries across the province and beyond.
As the program is not funded through the library budget, Bernath said the money would go a long way. Up until now, the program has been funded primarily through donations and a partnership with a local church.
Bernath got the news her pitch had won in the car ride on the way home from the conference.
Another great event! Thank you to everyone who faced our OLA Dragon’s at this year’s Larry Moore Challenge at #OLASC. Congrats to our winners!
— OLA (@ONLibraryAssoc) January 31, 2020
1st place: @CollingwoodPL
2nd place: @valleylibs
3rd place: @mississaugalib
“I saw the tweet,” she said. “It was pretty exciting. All our staff now have the wheels turning on how to best get value from this money and use it to its full potential. We’ll definitely be able to expand what the pantry offers.”