It started with the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition.

"I'm sort of feeling like a pleased and proud grandpa," coalition co-chair Ross Findlater said Thursday afternoon.

He made the remark after having sat in the audience at the official launch of the fund-raising campaign for the Food Bank Society of Whitehorse.

While the coalition spearheaded the push for a food bank, the group recognized the project was so large it would need its own organization to get the food bank up and running.

It's an initiative that's in good hands, Findlater said, noting his confidence the food bank will indeed open in early April, as planned.

"It's got a good momentum," he said.

That momentum pushed political leaders to sign on to the food bank's 500 Club. The brainchild of food bank director Dave Stockdale, members of the club donate at least $10 a month (or $120 per year).

If 500 people sign on, Stockdale explained, that's $5,000 coming into the food bank from individuals each month, which means $60,000 for the year.

As Stockdale noted, the idea came from other charitable organizations that allow monthly donations to come off of credit card bills.

"Once it's on your Visa, it's very hard to take it off," he said. "It's such an easy way to give."

As often political rivals Premier Dennis Fentie, Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell, NDP MLA Steve Cardiff and Whitehorse Mayor Bev Buckway sat side-by-side, signing onto the club, there was a lot of joking about the moment being a rare one where they all agreed on the same issue.

All four was clear though, that they were there as individuals rather than as representatives of their political interests, as was Stockdale, a veteran city councillor.

"This is not a commitment of any organization that they represent," he said.

Donating $500 to the food bank, Fentie said he couldn't help but catch Stockdale's enthusiasm for the initiative when he was approached about a donation.

"Society's strength, the strength of our social fabric, is totally dependent upon the contributions of our citizens," the premier said.

"This is a shining example of the strength of the social fabric of Whitehorse and the Yukon, and it is another example of Yukoners' spirit in how they always reach out to those who need."

As Mitchell stood at the mic, he warned the media to pay attention in a rare moment when he agreed with everything Fentie had just said.

Although the territory is generally a well-off society, that wealth isn't spread evenly across the population, he continued, noting he looks forward to the day when a food bank isn't needed.

Cardiff also noted his agreement with Mitchell and Fentie.

"I guess this is, maybe, a real exceptional opportunity because I can agree with both of the previous speakers and pretty much all of what they said," he said, adding his experience has shown him that Yukoners are very generous.

Like Mitchell, Cardiff noted the importance of working toward a time when a food bank isn't needed.

"The work that's been done has been great, but it's an unfortunate reminder of how little progress we, in Canada, as a society, have made towards our goal of eliminating poverty," he said.

Meanwhile, Buckway also voiced her agreement and commended the board for pulling everything together to get a food bank up and running.

"I have no doubt it will be an absolute success," she said.

While happy to donate her $120 for the year, she and Stockdale reached an agreement that he would take a computer course and she would make the contribution to the food bank.

"I did tell him when he was approaching me about doing this, I said, ‘Well, you know, I'm happy to do this, but there has to be a bit of a trade off.'"

With that, Stockdale agreed to take the computer course and Buckway agreed to offer the donation and appear at Thursday's press conference.

She encouraged food bank board members to keep Stockdale honest and let her know if his e-mails start slipping.

Along with announcing the start of the 500 Club, the food bank also noted the support from the corporate sponsors and groups in the community.

On-hand were Christ the King Elementary School students, who raised $3,000 in a read-a-thon.

F.H. Collins Secondary School and Yukon College also had a number of events that saw $3,000 raised and a number of corporate sponsors also handed funds and in-kind services over to the food bank.

Among those corporate sponsors, FSC Architects became the first member of the food bank's Green Apple Club with its commitment to donate $5,000 a year for five years.

Outside of that, it is also donating in-kind services to design the food bank, which will be located at the former Royal Canadian Legion building on Alexander Street.

The food bank and current building owners, the Association Franco-Yukonnaise, are partnering on the location, as was announced earlier.

The Green Apple Club is one of five corporate sponsorships available, which also include:

• Seed donations of between $500 and $999.99;

• Core donations of between $1,000 and $4,999.99;

• Red apple donations between $5,000 and $24,999.99; and

• Golden Apple Club for donations of $25,000 or more.

It's expected the food bank will cost about $200,000 annually to operate.

That amount is based on funds before in-kind service, director Christiane Boisjoly was quick to point out.

Already, the donation of two vans, for example, has reduced that amount by $50,000.

Those interested in donating, either through one of the fund-raising programs or with any contribution, can contact the food bank at 393-2265 or at whitehorsefoodbank@gmail.com.