A familiar face is back with the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank, as former development manager Deann Little has returned and taken on a new role.
Little spent nine years with the food bank before moving to British Columbia in July 2020, but after 14 months, moved back to Moose Jaw. She began working casually with Riverside Mission before food bank development manager Jason Moore acquired a grant to create the position of client resource representative.
Little’s first day as the client resource rep was Oct. 4.
“It’s exciting to be back … . I’m so glad to be back,” she said on Oct. 8.
Little usually never cries after losing or leaving a job, but shed many tears when she quit in 2020, she continued. Still, she had good feelings about returning since she knows she can assist clients now differently. This also ensures that the organization becomes stronger in supporting the less fortunate.
As the client resource rep, Little helps clients identify and fill gaps in their lives that don’t relate to food security. She can connect them to other resources or non-profits in the community and help them become more independent.
For example, if clients need support with their income taxes, Little can connect them with organizations that provide free help. Clients can then acquire more income through GST or child tax rebates.
“A lot of people when they’re struggling, it’s a tough situation to be in,” she said. “And over the nine years of my work at the food bank, I’ve realized that there’s more we could do to help our clients besides the food — which is a necessity — but we didn’t have the space to implement new programs.”
Moving into a new, bigger building has alleviated that problem of limited space.
Little’s passion has always been to help people as best she can, so returning to the food bank in this new role was gratifying. She knows she can implement changes and build stronger relationships with clients and the business community.
“I thrive on it. It means everything to me,” she added
Little can be reached at deann.little@mjfoodbank.org or 306-631-7779.
The food bank has always worked with other non-profits in town, such as Hunger in Moose Jaw and Riverside Mission. While that will continue, Little will also develop relationships with other agencies — such as businesses and grocery stores — to potentially share resources and make the community better.
Besides the position, another new feature to which Little is adjusting is working in a new building. The food bank was previously in a small 1,700-square-foot space on 305 Fairford Street West. However, the organization moved across the street to 270 Fairford Street West and into a 6,200-square-foot building.
Similar to the previous building, Little will share office space with operations manager Terri Smith.
“It worked good for nine years, so let’s do another nine-plus years,” laughed Little. “And thankfully, she got the bigger office, so it works out well.”
Little started hunting for a new building six years ago, so to see the new space is exciting, especially since the food bank can deliver its programs more effectively. She noted that Moore was instrumental in securing the new venue.
“We (also) love this location,” she added, “because it’s close to the downtown core and a fair bit of our clients do walk.”
