Save this date! The St. Albert Food Bank annual food drive will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. This drive holds critical significance for our community as we are facing a continued surge in the number of families needing our support.
This event is not just the largest fundraiser of the year for the food bank; it is a lifeline that sustains our organization’s ability to provide essential support for thousands of community members throughout the year.
Demand for the services provided by the St. Albert Food Bank has reached record levels due to the “trifecta of increases” – increased rent, higher utility bills, and the ever-rising cost of groceries. These economic pressures have pushed many families into situations where food insecurity is a daily reality.
In June 2025 alone, the food bank served 630 families, representing over 1,900 individuals – an increase from the previous year. Of the families accessing the food bank monthly, 94 per cent of them are paying over 50 per cent of their income on rent, leaving little for food or other essentials.
The annual food drive is uniquely important because it re-stocks the food bank’s shelves in preparation for the coming months. Volunteers, in partnership with Red Willow Church, will deliver approximately 25,000 brown bags to homes in St. Albert. Residents are encouraged to fill these bags and leave them on their front steps for volunteers to pick up.
Every single donation – whether a can of soup or a full grocery bag- makes a tangible difference. Last year’s efforts meant support for hundreds of families and this year the need is even more urgent.
The food drive relies on widespread participation to ensure no family is left behind. Volunteers are essential, not just for distributing the bags prior to the drive but also to pick up the filled bags on the day of the event.
While the food bank is incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity of donors, even those who have historically given are feeling the financial pinch. We are appreciative of every donation and are continually amazed at the heartfelt generosity of our donors and their commitment to supporting the food bank as able. With this in mind, we are appealing to both new and current donors to continue supporting the food bank this year.
The importance of the food drive extends beyond immediate hunger relief. The St. Albert Food Bank and Community Village offer a range of programs – food hampers, infant supplies (in high demand), prepared meals, and assistance from a team of social workers in navigating complex government and financial systems.
By participating in the food drive along with supporting the other programs, donors and volunteers help preserve these critical services and uphold the spirit of compassion that defines St. Albert.
In a year where more people than ever are seeking help and more are teetering on the brink of needing it, the annual Food Drive is not just a fundraiser, it is the expression of a community’s commitment to care for its own.
If you are interested in helping out please contact Doug through email – [email protected]
Suzan Krecsy is the executive director of the St. Albert Food Bank.
