The Whitehorse Food Bank wasn't yet getting food hampers ready for its clients, but apples, bananas, muffins and cookies along with tea and coffee were set out this morning.

The goodies were laid out to welcome those wanting to catch a first glimpse of the new food bank inside 206 Alexander St.

Though next week is when it will start doing business, the food bank opened its doors to the public today for the first time.

"The doors (are) open for everyone to come through: volunteers, clients or even people who want to give," food bank manager Julie Menard told reporters this morning inside the building, which once served as the local Royal Canadian Legion hall.

Renovations have seen a new ceiling installed and new coats of paint on the wall. The decore includes a bright green wall separating the front area of the food bank from the shelves that will soon be filled with food for clients when hampers are prepared on Tuesday.

There's also a new kitchen and coolers and at the back of the building is a whole new door to accommodate the trucks that will be delivering food.

"It looks very different now," volunteer Stu Mackay said between getting things ready for next week as he pointed to the many new features of the building. "It looks transformed."

Since efforts began by the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (a group focused specifically on the food bank later took over the project), about $250,000 has raised to get the centre up and running.

With that has come the many in-kind donations of everything from a forklift to food to trades workers putting in time on the renovations.

Also helpful is the partnership with the building's owner, the Association franco-yukonnaise, which saw the organization given the use of the building for free in the last few months of 2008 with an agreement arranged for this year as well.

A number of businesses and the Yukon government have provided donations through initiatives like the Green Apple Club. Under that arrangement, groups commit to donating a certain amount to the organization each year for five years.

Another initiative - the 500 Club - aims to get 500 families signed up for a $10-per-month donation.

"Our challange will be sustainability," Mackay said. "The money came largely for start-up so now we're going to have to really rely on businesses and organizations to carry it into the future."

The only way it will continue to work is with the involvement of the entire community behind it, reporters were told.

Treasurer Stephen Robertson said annual operating costs are estimated at $250,000 before donations. With lower rent costs, however, and if all the food is donated and other contributions are made, the figure could be closer to $150,000.

That amount too will depend on how many clients come into the food bank. The former emergency food services provided by Maryhouse and the Salvation Army (which will cease operating those services with the opening of the food bank) had approximately 120 clients between them each month.

Robertson said officials with the Whitehorse Food Bank think they may see more with the food bank not requiring documents on income.

During their first visit, clients will fill out a form which asks for an individual's details on birthdates, addresses, gender and so on.

They'll also be asked to list their dependents and other occupants and any dietary restriction. While a third section of the form seeks income and expense details, it is optional for each client.

Menard, the lone paid staffer at the food bank, said each client will get a file that will be looked at when they come in.

For now, clients are limited to getting the three-day food hamper once a month, though the food bank hopes to increase that soon.

Also, the organization hopes to begin including recipes with the food hampers within the next month, and has plans to eventually offer nutritional demonstrations and other information on food.

Menard comes to the food bank after working for a few years with the francophone association. She had been working on the food bank as a volunteer when the project first took off with the anti-poverty coalition.

"I needed a new challenge," she said of her change in jobs, noting this gave her the opportunity to have that challenge and work on an issue she believes the community needs to respond to.

Along with detailing the food bank's services for prospective clients, Menard was also quick to note the ongoing need for volunteers and donations, offering brochures explaining both roles.

The food bank will remain open until 3 p.m. today before service begins next week.

Office hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, with food pick-up available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Food drop off time is set for Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday from 8:30 a.m. until noon.