The North Bay Gathering Place soup kitchen is in the process of replacing its executive director.
The soup kitchen let go longtime executive director Dennis Chippa back in December of 2024.
Peter Gregory, chair of The Gathering Place board, says the non-for-profit organization is hiring two managers to replace Chippa.
"We have got an operations manager now, so she is going to fulfill a lot of the obligations that Dennis was doing,” said Gregory.
“We are also in the midst of bringing in a marketing funding manager and that person's role will be to go out and get the funds.”
See related: Chippa leaving the Gathering Place
Gregory believes that to do the job properly, they need to hire two people.
"You have to wear two hats," he explained.
"One is to run the operation inside, dealing with the staff, dealing with the public, and dealing with food insecurity, along with food recovery and everything else.
"Then there is funding which is very important too. That position, the person will just go after money and do what you have to do to raise the funds."
The organization, which just wrapped up its Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser, is still trying to get back on track after a tough 2024.
"We are not good but we are okay," said Gregory.
On September 1, 2024, the Gathering Place cut several staff members and decreased their meals to five meals a week, one a day, and lunch only.
The organization struggled to raise funds, and had to deal with some challenges with Revenue Canada as they were forced to refinance their building on Cassells Street to help make ends meet.