This Saskatchewan woman is helping fill bellies and hearts with a free grocery store

Darlene Hartshorn is a mother and grandmother from Warman who is making a difference by helping those who need a hand up.

Darlene Hartshorn is a mother and grandmother from Warman who is making a difference by helping those who need a hand up.

“I decided we needed to do something, so we opened the Hand Up Cupboard,” she told CTV News.

Hartshorn converted her attached garage into a free grocery store full of donated items. The shelves of her small one room store are filled with food and toiletries. Toilet paper and baby items are always in high demand.

“We had hockey players, cheerleaders, independent stores, schools, donating. It was absolutely amazing,” she said.

Those groups all donated before Christmas, providing about 200 kilograms of food and supplies in that December drive alone.

Her store is open twice a week, and shoppers are invited to stock up once every two weeks.

“When they do come they do have to show proof that they live within my jurisdiction, and then, OK, we’re good to go. I’m not going to judge you. I don’t judge you. Zero judgement whatsoever,” she said.