Food Banks Alberta preparing to support more Albertans this holiday season

Food Banks Alberta and its nearly 100 member food banks across the province, including the Interfaith and Lethbridge Food Banks in Lethbridge, realize times are tough, but accessing nutritious food, or family essentials, doesn’t have to be.

“We want our message to all Albertans to be clear and simple. We are open, we are safe, and we are ready to welcome you whether you want to give or receive support,” said Arianna Scott, Senior Project Manager for Food Banks Alberta, in a recent news release. “People have enough on their plates these days, so we don’t want anyone to worry about how they are going to feed themselves or their families.”

Scott says they are seeing an increase in new clients accessing food banks due to circumstances related to COVID-19. They are also anticipating a significant increase in need starting this holiday season and extending into the tax season of 2021.

“The pandemic has affected many Albertans in different ways, but we have noticed many of our new clients were unaware they could access their local food bank,” says Scott. “These are people who have mortgage and car payments who need to prioritize those payments, but may not be left with much else to be able to put food on the table. Also, with CERB running out, we are also seeing those affected by job loss in industries like energy, tourism and hospitality looking for places to get extra help.”

In 2019, over 89,800 Albertans accessed a food bank monthly, with over 13,600 being visits to rural food banks (Source: Hunger-Count 2019). Food Banks Alberta and its members are preparing for a significant increase in these numbers due to the impact of COVID-19, the ending of CERB, the continued economic crisis facing Alberta, and the rising cost of living.

Scott says in recent months many new food bank clients and donors are also uncertain if it’s safe to access their local food bank. Many people are looking to donate to their local food banks, but they have held back on dropping off donations because they weren’t sure if it was safe to do so.

“I assure you that your donations will be needed and welcomed, especially as we go into a busy holiday season where the need increases,” says Scott. “We have seen overwhelming support from Albertans since the beginning of COVID-19, and we ask those who are in a position to give to consider supporting their communities by donating to their local food bank.”

Scott also notes they are seeing an outpouring of #AlbertaStrong style community support. From individuals to radio stations to real estate firms to sports teams and even classrooms; Albertans are uniting to create their own community donation drives.

Food banks provide a variety of hampers to Albertans in need, including everything from fresh produce (when available), dried goods and household essentials like toilet paper, feminine hygiene items, diapers and other baby related items. Hampers are accessed by calling a local food bank, and arranging assistance. Food bank assessment and identification requirements vary by location.

There are 98 food banks connected to Food Banks Alberta, an association of member organizations that have united to share resources, funding opportunities, and social service connections. There’s a food bank in your community, supported by Albertans, for Albertans.

Other southern Alberta communities that are members of Food Banks Alberta include Claresholm, Crowsnest Pass, Bow Island, Fort Macleod, Granum, Pincher Creek, Kainai (Standoff ), Taber, Tri-Community Pantry (Milk River), Vauxhall and Vulcan.

To learn more about Food Banks Alberta, to make a donation, or to find a food bank nearest you, visit: