Six-month Extension To Mustard Seed Kitchen, New Location Still TBD

Edited to correct location

The Mustard Seed is receiving a six-month permit extension to operate its Allowance Avenue kitchen facility following Wednesday’s Municipal Planning Commission meeting.

James Gardiner, Mustard Seed CEO, told the committee he understood that time-limited permit extensions are to keep the organizations feet to the fire as a new location is being sought.

But he added, “we don’t think it’s necessary to do that. We’re fully committed to doing that.”

The Mustard Seed had been seeking an open-ended extension as a new consolidated location that would combine the Allowance Avenue kitchen facility and shelter services along with day programming is awaiting being found and approved.

Day services at the Mustard Seed’s Allowance Avenue location ceased earlier this year following community backlash sparked by a move to expand services to include evening shelter space.

The commission heard there have been no complaints by community members since that time which has seen the Flats neighbourhood facility limited to providing meals offsite.

The commission also heard there was a large meeting on Tuesday involving provincial, municipal officials and community group staff along with the Mustard Seed to discuss a new proposed location.

Gardiner added that on top of having to secure the approvals of all those organizations, it will still need to get buy in within the neighbourhood community of a new shelter site, but significant progress has been made.

While not directly related to Wednesday’s Municipal Planning Commission meeting or the Mustard Seed’s shelter operations, McMan Medicine Hat announced it will cease offering it’s own youth orientated shelter services next month.

The organization cited lack of funding for its services offered to youth aged 12 to 17 years old.