Helping Hands Receives $20,000 Boost from City of Brandon

The Helping Hands Centre in Brandon has received a significant funding boost from the City of Brandon, which has allocated an additional $20,000 to the non-profit organization. This allocation comes as part of the city’s budget for 2026, supplementing the existing annual grant of $30,000. The funding is aimed at supporting operational costs and addressing recent challenges faced by the soup kitchen.

According to Andrea Epp, chair of the Helping Hands Centre board, the organization is “grateful” for the city’s support, especially during these challenging times. The city’s contribution follows a $200,000 allocation from the provincial government, derived from the sale of U.S. liquor during the holidays. Epp emphasized the importance of this funding, stating, “Any amount that we receive helps. Our monthly expenses are somewhere between $25,000 and $30,000, so anything that we receive from any source is a help.”

The recent funding will primarily assist in covering the costs incurred from a recent roof repair that totaled $225,000. Epp expressed relief at the new funding, stating, “After the roof repair… we were in a panic. It was very concerning.” She noted that the repairs had significantly depleted the organization’s reserves, leading to a challenging financial situation.

Epp highlighted the soup kitchen’s ongoing struggles, noting a decline in both food and monetary donations over the past few years. This has forced Helping Hands to occasionally purchase food, something it had never done before. “With all of our costs and our need going up, we need to try to recoup that from every source that we can,” she added.

The organization plans to continue its fundraising efforts while exploring additional grant opportunities. Epp expects to receive the provincial funding by the end of March but is still advocating for a more stable annual allocation. She remarked, “We’re always going to be looking for different funding sources. I don’t think that will ever stop. That’s what’s kept us alive up till now.”

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett expressed the city’s commitment to supporting Helping Hands, stating, “We want to make sure that they stay engaged. The work that they do is just so essential for our community.” He indicated that the additional funding was a response to “extreme circumstances,” such as the unexpected roof repair costs.

In December, Helping Hands had requested an additional $15,000 from the city to develop a strategic plan, but this was reduced to $2,500 during budget discussions and ultimately rejected by the council. Epp noted that other donors stepped in to help secure necessary funding, demonstrating community support for the organization’s mission.

Looking ahead, Helping Hands is establishing a fundraising committee to enhance its financial stability. Epp indicated that more details would be available in the fall as the committee begins its work. The organization remains committed to its mission of providing essential services to those in need, ensuring that “people need to eat, and it helps everybody.”