For the past 18 years, a group of community members has, from behind the scenes, quietly ensured the Bunker ministry always had a home in Winkler.
What began as 12 members, committing to fund the cost of a building for the new ministry in the late 80's, has grown to nearly 50 business owners, farm owners and individuals. That support is now paving the way for an expanded facility at 545 Industrial Drive in Winkler which will soon house the Bunker youth drop-in centre, Central Station Community Centre, and the Winkler Food Cupboard.
"It impacts just a huge number of people," Central Station Board Member Albert Heide says, adding without a permanent home, ministries like the Bunker and Central Station couldn't exist.
"It starts with a facility," he says.
Eldin Shore, Ministry Director at the Bunker, explains not having to worry about facilities allows them to focus on working with youth.
"Having an awesome building gives us so many more opportunities to spend more time intentionally spending time with the youth of our community," Shore says. "The guys that are part of that group are just amazing. We've had opportunities to meet them all and they just have great hearts, great generosity and we're so very thankful for them."
While the group of financial backers prefer to remain anonymous, Heide says he hopes shining a light on the vision of the group will inspire others that real change can start small.
"Because they see the value, and have invested, big things have happened," he says.
The group has grown with the needs of the Bunker, and will continue into the foreseeable future as new generations of members have come on board. In one instance, three generations in one family support the Bunker, and now Central Station and the food cupboard, as unit holders with the group.
"It's pretty exciting," Heide says.
The expanded facility is expected to be complete this fall.
Sat, May 4, 7:30 PM
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