GAAP (Grocery Affordable Access Program)
GAAP St Gerard
40 Foster Street, Elmwood
Runs the first, third, and fifth Saturday
of every month
1-4:00
Gaap started running in July of 2025 out of a smaller community center in Elmwood. It quickly grew in size and popularity, expanding to the St Gerard School in Elmwood at 40 Foster Street. The Elmwood location runs the first, third, and fifth Saturday of each month. Chris calls it a bridge program, for those that would not necessarily access a food bank, but still need help. All of the groceries are at a cost, but are usually much lower than regularly priced groceries at stores.
Chris got the idea from a jar of cheez whiz on sale. When he worked for the FAB (Food Access Bus) in Elmwood, he noted how many of the seniors were buying cheez whiz. Chris noted a sale and bought as many jars as his honda civic could hold. It made him think about how much affordability and access affect those who are in hardship. Under Jason Schreyer’s directive, Chris managed the $5-10.00 fruit and vegetable bags sold at BAG (Better Access to Groceries) at Chalmers community center. He started what is known there as BAG+, a branch of BAG where you can buy low cost grocery staples (and some treats) at a lower cost.
Chris works with stores who have been incredibly responsive to him. What started as almost a one man operation, quickly grew to fill an entire school gymnasium and 3 large warehouses. Chris is the project manager and creator of GAAP. His great dream is to see GAAP one day become a model in different communities. He was able to expand GAAP into the Daniel McIntyre ward with the support of councillor Cindy Gilroy. GAAP Valour runs out of Valour community center (448 Burnell), the first, third, and fifth Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30.
GAAP also works with 2 major seniors complexes in the Elmwood ward, one of them a Manitoba Housing block. 505 Munroe has graciously gifted us 2 large rooms where our in house resident Lynn manages stock and sales. She works with other residents within the block, to sell the low cost groceries to those living there.
GAAP is in honor and legacy of Jason Schreyer, without whom GAAP would not exist. Chris is the creator and manager, but it was Jason who provided the path. It is one of our greatest tragedies to think of how Jason died one month before GAAP opened. He would have been absolutely thrilled to see what it is today. He was one of the first people with a truck to help load groceries with Chris. The dream almost died with Jason, but Chris utilized his own funding to get GAAP off the ground without any initial supports of his own.
GAAP has been featured in all major Winnipeg News platforms multiple times! GAAP is entirely volunteer run, and would not exist without the incredible foundation and support of St Gerard School and our incredibly community of volunteers.
https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/07/18/winnipeg-affordable-grocery-program-marks-first-anniversary/-”The Jason Schreyer Memorial Grocery Affordable Access Program was launched last year to honour Schreyer, who represented the Elmwood—East Kildonan ward from 2014 until his death in 2025. The program provides affordable groceries to residents while helping ease demand on Winnipeg food banks.”-citynews
https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/08/17/local-low-cost-grocery-program-seeing-increased-demand-amidst-high-food-inflation/-“For the people in the building that are on a lesser income, and they can come down, and just the people in the whole neighbourhood, not just this building, and so it’s an important program,” said Will Gange. Lori Klassen added, “This program there should be more programs like this available throughout the city; there should be. And knowing Chris, he’ll probably grow it up to that.”
https://guelph.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/jason-would-be-ecstatic-morse-place-community-centre-launches-grocery-access-program/-“It’s especially important in this neighbourhood because there’s very limited access to grocery stores,” said Chris Sweryda, project manager for the initiative. “This program offers two components: lowering the cost and increasing accessibility.”
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/jason-schreyers-torch-for-affordable-groceries-moves-to-st-gerard-school/“You’ve got people that live in housing that come out to purchase groceries here. That gives them a sense of confidence – knowing that they’re still providing for their family.”
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/east/2026/01/28/gap-finds-home-at-st-gerard-school-“Since adopting the program, we have seen very positive responses from the school and the broader community as a whole. There are many people that are struggling and it has been a great way for the school to help,” St. Gerard principal Jean Gilbert said in a press release. “It can be considered a bridge program for those who struggle to pay retail prices but also would not qualify for or attain food bank assistance due to having some income.”
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/east/2026/04/08/gilroy-valour-c-c-bring-grocery-program-to-west-end-“The program’s success is due to the dedication of the various volunteers and staff, plus Chris’s ability to get bulk products at reduced prices through various chain stores,” Serbyniuk said.
https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/07/17/popular-low-price-grocery-program-celebrates-first-year-“We’re getting people from all over. The program has been a huge success, and we’re still growing,” Sweryda said. “We need to look at maybe finding another location in Elmwood, because it’s getting very hard to even manage the lineups anymore.”
Social Media-https://www.facebook.com/GroceryAffordableAccessProgramStGerards
GAAP Valour
448 Burnell Street, Daniel McIntyre
Runs the first, third, and fifth Thursday
of every month
5:30-7:30
