For the last three decades the Westlock and District Food Bank has helped out some of this area’s most vulnerable citizens.
The bank, established in 1985, is a volunteer-run organization and is operated by some of the most selfless people in this community. There is no overhead — they don’t own a computer, or have a phone line, while all the paperwork is completed by hand. They run out of a humble corner of Memorial Hall, which is rent-free thanks to the Elks.
This is all done to maximize their ability to give back so that 100 per cent of money they receive goes towards helping the hungry.
These people — who you can read more about on Pages 10-11 of this week’s Westlock News — deserve our thanks.
Countless children have been able to eat because of the food bank — children who have grown up to become productive members of our community. Let that sink in for moment.
This isn’t the 19th century where countless people went hungry on epic proportions. We don’t live an emerging nation that struggles to feed its own.
In a country like Canada and in an oil-rich province like Alberta, where some people make big money, it’s easy to forget there is another side of the coin — people who, for a variety of reasons, can’t afford to pay the bills and put food on the table.
With money tight, people out of work and grocery prices on the rise, families are having a difficult time and food banks, including ours, are feeling the pressure.
With demand and costs greater than ever, they need our help, plain and simple. They’ll accept cash, in-kind help, or donations of food — it’s all up to you.
Help the community and give generously to food bank. You will not find a more noble or worthy cause.
