Hawkesbury council gave unanimous approval during its November 9 to Bylaw 52-2020, which confirms a seven-year lease arrangement between the municipality and the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank.

The main conditions of the lease is that the non-profit agency will occupy rent-free part of the former OPP station building on Cartier Boulevard, but the Hawkesbury Central Food Bank will share maintenance cost for the premises with the town.

The rent-free condition of the lease is similar to other occupation agreements that the town has with other non-profit groups like Le Chenail cultural centre and the Golden Age Club 50+, which also occupy municipal buildings without having to pay rent.

Confirmation of the lease arrangement with the town will help support the food bank’s application to the Ontario Trillium Fund for financial aid to deal with the cost of renovating its section of the building to suit its needs. For now, the food bank will remain at its present Main Street location for the months remaining on its lease for those premises.