Medicine Hat non-profits expecting uptick as Mustard Seed ends day services

The Root Cellar Food and Wellness Centre is expecting an uptick in unhoused people who pick up emergency snack bags.

“I do anticipate that we’re going to see a lot more people utilizing those bags to go as well as coming in to get warm,” said executive director Melissa Mullis.

Those are many of the same vulnerable people who get food, clothes, medical attention, career help and other services at The Mustard Seed’s North Flats site.

The Salvation Army, reached by phone but unavailable for an interview, said it expects an increase in those accessing its services.

The non-profit organization offers hot meals, daycare options and other services. It backtracked on cancelling its dinner program following a CHAT News report last summer.

The Mustard Seed is being forced to permanently cease public operations at its 503A Allowance Ave. SE site after the city’s planning authority denied a development permit in January.

The Municipal Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the permit, leaving the non-profit without the necessary city approval to continue operating its Community Impact Centre.

The closure leaves hundreds of vulnerable people without access to critical services and a warm place to stay during the day.

It also satisfies residents concerned by the behaviour of those who use The Mustard Seed’s services.

People who live nearby the Allowance Avenue site have found drug paraphernalia, overdosing individuals and people engaging in violence or prostitution.

The Mustard Seed will return to the city’s planning commission next week with the aim of getting a “ghost kitchen” approved so it can continue feeding those at its Eighth Street emergency shelter.

The non-profit’s CEO James Gardiner told CHAT News its kitchen application must pass.

by Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat non-profits expecting uptick as Mustard Seed ends day services

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