Balcaen pushes for Helping Hands funding

Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen has called on the NDP-led provincial government to provide stable and predictable funding for Helping Hands Brandon.

Helping Hands is a soup kitchen that has become a lifeline for thousands of Brandon residents facing hunger.

Such funding should be highlighted in the government’s “upcoming Throne Speech” and backed by “concrete” financial commitments, Balcaen told the Sun.

“Helping Hands has done a phenomenal job in our community. They are on track this year to serve 51,000 meals, an increase of 5,000 over last year, and they’ve also started a bag lunch program distributed through the 7th Street Health Access Centre,” he said.

“If the government could provide permanent, stable, predictable funding, the organization could plan and continue feeding those in our community who are struggling.”

Premier Wab Kinew responded to the Balcaens’s call by saying that any funding requests would be considered.

“If anybody wants to bring forward requests, we’ll certainly consider them,” Kinew said. He pointed to previous cuts to community services under the Progressive Conservative government and highlighted the NDP’s investments in social services.

While Helping Hands receives annual contributions from the City of Brandon and the United Way, Balcaen said, these funds are not guaranteed year to year, adding both the city and the United Way must make funding decisions annually based on budget priorities, leaving Helping Hands vulnerable to fluctuations in financial support.

“Each year, the organization has to reapply for funding. If the United Way or the city experiences lower fundraising than expected, or reprioritizes their funding streams, Helping Hands could see reductions in support,” Balcaen said. “I’m not saying that will happen, but the possibility is there, and it creates uncertainty for an organization that serves some of our most vulnerable citizens.”

In addition to advocating for long-term funding, Balcaen called on the province to reimburse Helping Hands for $225,000 spent repairing the facility’s roof, which depleted the organization’s infrastructure contingency funds. “These were dollars raised through community donations and fundraising. One unexpected crisis could force the organization to scale back services, which would be devastating for the people who rely on them,” he said.

Helping Hands has reached out to various MLAs for some time to ask for help, its executive director Angela Braun told the Sun.

“The fact that the MLA is speaking out is hopeful,” Braun said. “Continuous, predictable funding from the provincial government would allow us to plan for the future and continue meeting the growing needs of our community.”

The organization has seen a steady increase in demand over the past three years. In 2023, the organization served approximately 42,000 meals; in 2024, 46,000; and this year, they expect to serve 51,000.

The rise in demand is being driven by multiple factors, including the increasing cost of living, more newcomers to the city, families with young children and seniors struggling to make ends meet, Braun said.

“The increase in demand has been difficult to manage, especially with limited funding,” Braun said. “We’ve had to add staff and sometimes use our own budget to purchase protein and pantry staples to meet the needs of our community. Continuous annual funding from the government would allow us to plan for maintenance, staffing and programming proactively rather than reactively.”

While the City of Brandon and United Way support Helping Hands with $30,000 each annually, the organization’s operating costs range between $20,000 and $30,000 per month, covering wages, utilities, cleaning supplies and food supplementation, Braun said.

The upcoming sprinkler and other upgrades — estimated at $10,000 — she said, add significant financial pressure, underscoring the urgent need for support. Braun said that while the organization has benefitted from donations and volunteer support, these cannot replace the stability that government funding could provide.

Balcaen wants the provincial government to work with local MLAs to ensure Helping Hands and similar organizations can continue their work.

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