It’s August, already time to gear up for school going back in and all the other things that come with fall. They say the busier you are, the faster time goes by, and because we have been incredibly busy here, time has flown!
We are fast approaching the date for our Annual Food Drive, which is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21. This is the largest fundraiser of the year for the food bank, and this year we are putting out our plea for help from the community. This year we need you more than ever before. Please help us fill our shelves.
The words, “unprecedented,” “unbelievable,” “exceptional,” and “unparalleled” have been used to describe what is happening with food banks across our province, and, in fact across the country. The St. Albert Food Bank is not immune to this unmatched increase in client usage which is mainly due to the “trifecta of increases;” increases in rents, utilities, and food, which have pushed people into financial difficulties. With your continued help we are currently supporting upwards of 2,000 individuals each month.
In one recent month alone, we supported 611 families with food, 80 per cent of whom are paying more than 50 per cent of their income on rent alone. This leaves very little at the end of the day, especially when you take into consideration all other things that need to be paid for. The level of stress is palpable when folks come in. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes anger and frustration because they cannot see their way out. One client stated, “I don’t know what to do. I just can’t take care of myself anymore.”
The number of folks experiencing homelessness has also increased this year. To date, in 2024, we have supported 167 individuals, as compared to 131 for the entire year in 2023. We also continue to struggle to find appropriate housing for folks.
We can not over stress our appreciation for the generosity and thoughtfulness of this community. Your support is instrumental in enabling us to assist the families who seek food supports from us. Every donation is received with appreciation!
So please if you are able, support our Annual Food Drive on Sept. 21, 2024. If you are interested in helping to deliver the brown bags throughout the city or picking up the filled bags please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected]. We will be partnering (again) with Red Willow Church, which generously provides the 25,000 bags that are distributed and also oversee the volunteers who pick up and deliver the filled bags to the food bank. We are so grateful to Red Willow for their almost 40 years of helping us with the food drive.
We all thank you St. Albert for your continued support you are an amazing community that we are so fortunate to call home.
