Tracey Gilbert feels like she’s getting back to her roots after taking over as manager of the Minden Community Food Centre (MCFC).
Replacing the recently-retired Jean Munroe, Gilbert has spent the past couple of weeks learning just how big a role MCFC plays in the community. She started her new position March 9. A new assistant manager, Stephanie Butchart, started March 16, replacing the also-retired Lynette Gray.
It’s a return to frontline service for Gilbert, who has spent the past 15 years working in publishing, with Patient News in Haliburton. Before that, she was a PSW supporting the elderly in homes across the County.
“Helping people has been part of my plan right from the get-go. That’s my passion and what I enjoy,” she said. “Because I had kids, I needed more of a 9-5 job… but now that they’re grown, I’m really excited to take on this challenge and do whatever needs to be done to help people in our community.”
MCFC isn’t completely foreign to Gilbert – she assisted with social media promotion last summer and has volunteered with the holiday hamper program for years. At the community level, she’s one of the helpers involved with the annual Canada Day fishing derby in Minden.
Gilbert said she already feels the weight of her new job. Since 2019, MCFC has seen demand for service soar, with the food bank more than doubling its clientele over the past six years. With the current economic uncertainty, demand is only climbing, she said.
“At minimum, we’re seeing between five to 10 new clients per month, which really adds up over the course of a year. Through January and February, we served an average of 420 people each month,” Gilbert said. As of April 2025, MCFC was serving an average of 352 people per month.
Responding to the increased need, MCFC has upped the amount of food it gives out to people. For years, they provided four days’ worth of food every month. That was then changed to four days of food every three weeks but now, Gilbert said they’re handing out seven days of food every three weeks.
As a result, the organization’s budget for 2026 has spiked – up to $356,000 from $313,000, a 14 per cent increase. Since MCFC doesn’t receive any form of steady funding from municipal, provincial or federal governments, the bulk of that is sourced from the community.
Dollo’s Foodland, Easton’s Valu-Mart and Coneybeare’s butcher shop regularly donate food, with money brought in through annual fundraisers such as Jump in the Lake, which Gilbert confirmed will return this spring.
Olympian event
A new fundraiser has been scheduled next month, April 11, at the Minden Curling Club. It features a three-course meal prepared by Aaron Walker, co-owner of McKeck’s Restaurant, and a conversation with Canadian sports broadcaster Scott Russell and Olympic figure skating bronze medalist Tracy Wilson. There will be a silent auction, raffle and 50/50 draw. There’s seating for 70 people with tickets $125 per person. Gilbert said there are only 20 tickets left. She’s hoping it brings in $8,000 to $10,000.
Gilbert said she wants to establish a partnership with Archie Stouffer Elementary School to ensure all students have access to nutritious lunches.
For anyone in need of assistance, Gilbert says people will always be welcome at MCFC.
“There is no income threshold for service – we’re not turning anyone away. We’re here to support, not to judge. We are here to give our clients the most warm, welcoming experience possible so they can feed themselves and their families,” she said.
To register, people need to present photo ID, disclose their address and how many people live within their household. For more information, visit www.mindencommunityfoodcentre.ca.
