Lethbridge agencies pooling resources to best serve the community during outbreak

As our community continues to battle the effects of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, Lethbridge Food Bank, Interfaith Food Bank and MyCityCare will be banding together to coordinate emergency food services for our most vulnerable citizens. This partnership will coordinate services, maximize resources and provide the most effective and efficient support to our community as we navigate this crisis.

Emergency Food Assistance will be our top priority, as an essential service to our community. For the time being, they are suspending programs, workshops and activities not related to primary services, and focusing all efforts on ensuring that community members have enough to eat.

“We are open,” says Danielle McIntyre of Interfaith Food Bank, “Our first priority is to keep food on the table for local citizens in need, especially in a situation like this where our community needs us most.”

Many food bank users are vulnerable citizens with health challenges and other issues that will compound the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Agencies are implementing safety precautions and activities that encourage social distancing, hygiene and cleaning procedures as recommended by Health Canada and Alberta Health Services. Food banks will allow existing clients to designate an alternate to pick up their hampers if they are ill or self-isolating.

Agencies are expecting to experience challenges with both supply and manpower. Current panic has resulted in empty shelves at grocery stores as well as limited donations, despite the fact the government has assured Canadians that our supply chain is not in jeopardy.

Agencies strongly encourage community members to remember those who are unable to shop for themselves, and the need for emergency response programs to be able to access food and supplies for the most vulnerable members of our community. Financial support is the most efficient means for supporting relief efforts, as agencies will be able to purchase most needed supplies.