A children's food bank program is expanding in  Portage la Prairie thanks to local help.

Mealshare has expanded its efforts in Portage la Prairie to provide food for children in need by way of another local restaurant, Mr MIKES Steakhouse Casual. As a result, the Salvation Army continues to receive funding from the program for its food bank.

Pastor Brenda Hammond explains the process.

"The Salvation Army's been involved in Mealshare for a while," says Hammond. "Just recently, Mr MIKES has become involved in Mealshare as well," says Hammond. "It's a great program where, when you're in there having your lunch or your supper, it's the perfect time to donate to a child who might not have the food that somebody that's visiting restaurants has."

She says the donation goes to the Salvation Army when you purchase a Mealshare menu item at Mr MIKES, who then takes a donation from the price. Hammond notes the food bank became a recipient last year with A&W, who's also involved again this year.

"It's a good example of a simple program that can really help child poverty, and Portage certainly needs all the help they can get in terms of child poverty," says Hammond, "Yesterday (Wednesday) at the Food Bank, we served 61 kids. So, mom or dad came to get the hamper. But the hamper is for mom and dad and children. That's a lot of kids that are struggling to have food on the table."

She notes Mealshare is strictly designed for meals to be provided to children, while the foodbank is for the entire family.

"Their goal is to eliminate child poverty," adds Hammond.