The Carr Brothers - Ep 100 "Heartfelt Conversations: Community Kitchen Heroes"

In a heart-to-heart chat with the Carr brothers, Jane Buckley from the Oromocto Food Bank and Cassandra Leblanc from the Fredericton Community Kitchens shed light on their relentless battle against hunger. With genuine camaraderie, they reflect on the monumental task they face and the unwavering support they receive from their communities.

Buckley, the executive director of the Oromocto Food Bank, speaks candidly about the recent challenges they've faced, including power outages affecting their operations. "We lost a whole day yesterday with the power outage... So what that does for us is... standing guard at the freezers and fridges, making sure no one opens them," she explains, highlighting the meticulous care needed to preserve perishable items.

Meanwhile, Leblanc, her counterpart at the Fredericton Community Kitchens, discusses the staggering increase in demand they've witnessed. "We serve mainly Fredericton area... we were up 45% since 2021," she reveals, underlining the sheer scale of their operations. Despite the daunting numbers, their commitment to providing hot meals to those in need remains unyielding.

Both organizations rely heavily on volunteers, whose dedication is paramount to their success. "It would be impossible without our incredible volunteer crew," Leblanc acknowledges, emphasizing the pivotal role they play in sustaining their operations.

As the conversation delves deeper, the focus shifts to future plans and the need for ongoing community support. Leblanc shares her organization's aspirations for expansion and enhancing training opportunities for those in need. "We want to help the community even more... and provide training and employment opportunities to people that might struggle to find those opportunities," she explains, highlighting their holistic approach to addressing food insecurity.

In closing, Buckley and Leblanc extend their gratitude to the community for their unwavering support. "Our organizations need... the support of the community," Buckley emphasizes, echoing the sentiment shared by both organizations. Their message is clear: in the face of adversity, it's the collective effort of the community that makes a real difference.