A few new programs will soon take shape at the Barr-head Food Bank.
The local food bank continues to provide staples to those residents who struggle to make ends meet. Any food bank is an important service for many communities, and Barrhead certainly does its fair share of supporting the cause. At many times throughout the year, there is any number of events taking place to help replenish the cupboards at the food bank. Furthermore, Servus Credit Union and Champion Feeds have teamed up for this year’s vegetable garden that will help provide fresh produce to clients of the food bank.
The Barrhead Food Bank is a member of the Alberta Food Bank Network Association. More than 110 Alberta communities currently have food banks. Each month these organizations provide food to more than 60,000 Albertans. The most common service they offer is providing hampers to disadvantaged individuals and families. It is clear there is a need for food banks in just about every province across the country. The purpose of the Alberta Food Bank Network Association, also known as Alberta Food Banks, is to provide support and leadership to food banks in Alberta in their efforts to provide short-term relief in the area of food insecurity while working on long- term solutions for hunger and poverty.
This relationship means Darcy Lockhart and her volunteers have access to plenty of food to help fill voids in Barrhead. Once a month, Lockhart takes the Family and Community Support Services van to Edmonton and fills it with groceries from the Edmonton Food Bank. What is especially advantageous about this partnership is the fact Lockhart is able to bring back food items the local food bank would not be able to purchase with its budget.
The FCSS-run food bank is in the midst of initiating the WeCan program in Barrhead. Clients purchase food hampers for a low cost of $20, and they are given a variety of healthy foods that would cost much more had they bought them from a grocery store. It’s a pilot project, and it’s one that Lockhart said would come in handy during the third week of the month, when most people who rely on the food bank find themselves with less food. But, it’s important to note that because the clients are actually paying for their food, this can be looked at as more of a hand up, than a hand out, which is what FCSS is all about.
Barrhead residents will no doubt continue their support of the food bank, but by participating in projects like WeCan, the future of the food bank will remain strong.
