A struggling Nanaimo service club in British Columbia may still be able to help needy local organizations, but it seems doubtful.

B.C. Gaming and Information Services are less likely to grant bingo licences to service groups. Still, money is available through direct access grants, according to the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

The policy shift aims to simplify service group funding, but had caused some confusion for the Independent Order of Foresters, a Nanaimo group that was recently forced to cancel its bingo licence because club membership has been declining for years.

This fraternal society has long supported soup kitchens, seniors groups and summer camps with annual donations from money raised at bingo hall and feared they would lose the $15,000 raised every year.

The 7-10 Club, which provides food for the poor and homeless, has received an annual $1,000 donation from the IOF for several years, but organizers were told that last month's instalment will have to be the last.

The IOF may be eligible for a direct access grant, which would keep the money in the banks of 14 organizations that the club regularly donate to. The 7-10 Club would particularly like to see the money again next year.

After being evicted from their location in the basement of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church just over a year ago, members have been searching for a new home from which to provide breakfasts and bag lunches to those in need.

The service that started 25 years ago is now offered temporarily at the Maffeo-Sutton Auditorium across from the RCMP detachment.

Bingos were quite profitable for the IOF, but declining membership and a dwindling executive have made it nearly impossible to host the events. An aging membership is the primary cause for the decline and without new people the club will have to close down.