By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

The Lending Cupboard cuts ribbon on new home

Sep 10, 2018 | 1:46 PM

A celebration 12 years in the making was held Monday at the new home of The Lending Cupboard.

The organization, which lends out medical equipment, moved this summer from their home downtown up to the north end near Gaetz Avenue and 78 Street.

The relocation offered them a chance to grow with a larger facility, but it came with a cost of around $500,000, of which they’ve raised about half.

On Tuesday, dignitaries, community members and volunteers were on hand to cut the ribbon and officially welcome the community in.

“The Lending Cupboard is going to be here for a very, very long time and we’re certainly hoping they’ll get on board and help us to lose the loan so that we can continue to support the residents we have throughout central Alberta,” said Dawna Morey, Executive Director.

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Morey says with current demographics and changing best practices, the need will only continue to grow.

Last year, The Lending Cupboard helped 10,000 people, as far away as Calgary and Edmonton.

Nikki Isley’s four-year-old son Ethan is one of the many central Albertans to benefit in recent years from The Lending Cupboard’s generosity.

Ethan was born with spina bifida and when he was two, the family faced a six-month wait for a custom walker.

“We are very grateful that The Lending Cupboard was available to us. He would’ve been immobile for those six months and as a busy toddler, he wanted to be moving.” Isley said, noting they also borrowed a wheelchair for Ethan briefly. “There are no other real options for borrowing equipment in the time that it takes to wait for your own. It’s an amazing organization.”

The Lending Cupboard has raised a little more than half of their fundraising goal.

At the event, they also recognized several donors, including Servus Credit Union who made a $25,000 presentation at the ribbon cutting, the Spruce View and District Lions Club, the Government of Alberta, Lacombe Ford who donated a new van, and many others.

More information is at LendingCupboard.ca.