That said the organization, which will celebrate 35 years in 2021, can always use more food and cash donations as the need for Westlock’s less fortunate never ends, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The food bank, located at the east side of Memorial Hall, is open every Tuesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“We’re doing really good right now for stock because it is the Christmas season and people tend to be more giving. And in some ways COVID has been a bit of a blessing to us. Our financial donations have improved as last year our donations were down by 50 per cent, so it was a really rough year,” said Kennedy, highlighting the annual Sobeys promotion that sees patrons buy a bag of food for the food bank as key to keeping the shelves topped up.
“But this year we’ve lost some big events that helped us fill the shelves. The Blue Suede Festival was cancelled and Farm Credit usually does a big drive for us, but this year they did a virtual drive. And Ford does one as well … last year they brought in over 5,000 pounds of food.
“But with the schools and COVID, I think (groups) have had to back away from those kinds of events, so we’ve missed out on a few really good ones that help stock the shelves. Hopefully they come back next year.”
Those looking to donate either cash or food can contact Kennedy directly at 780-349-4404 — she made a point of saying that while all donations are appreciated, they don’t accept outdated food.
After a slow summer, usage at the bank has been rising since the start of school in September and they’re currently serving around 150-160 people regularly.
“The community has been so giving and we’re so blessed to be a part of the community.”
When it comes to the food they get, Kennedy said it sits for two to three days first before being placed on the shelves — one of the handful of COVID protocols they have in place. Currently the food bank has 11 volunteers — some work Thursdays to fill the shelves while the remainder are there Tuesdays.
“People aren’t allowed inside the building, we have a table set out on the sidewalk. They come to the table, put their ID in a little snack baggie and (volunteer) Don Scott brings it in and registers them. Then he tells us how many people we do a hamper for. We put it in boxes or our own bags and he takes it out to them,” she explained.
“It’s been tiring because it’s the same people working now pretty much all the time as we used to have two groups. But that said it’s been working out well.”
Recent donation
The Westlock and District Food Bank and the Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services (FCSS) Food Bank each received welcomed $500 donations Dec. 3 from the Wild Rose Rural Electrification Association, whose membership exceeds 2,700 and its electrical system is spread over five counties.
Barrhead food bank coordinator Cheri Jantz echoed Kennedy’s observations, stating that demand is starting to racket up.
“We actually had a huge dip in numbers of people coming. I took over the role of coordinator of the food bank in April, so COVID had already hit. We were meeting weekly on Zoom with Alberta food banks and the numbers just dropped with all the food banks,” said Jantz, noting they serve around 140 individuals regularly. “(Now) “We’re almost at pre-COVID levels."
• With files from Les Dunford
George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com
