The Beyond Food Community Hub in Blackfalds, Alberta, is asking residents to help fill empty shelves as several everyday essentials run low. The non-profit, which provides food and other supports to local families, needs crackers, toilet paper, pancake mix, ground coffee, white sauces, Hamburger Helper, spreads like jam and Nutella, and canned tomatoes.
Demand for the hub’s services remains high. In 2022, it handed out food hampers to 2,717 people, an 18 per cent increase from the year before. Its Lunchbox Program also grew quickly, doubling from about 130 kids a week in 2021 to more than 260 a week in 2022.
The hub runs more than just a food bank. Programs include emergency food hampers, a Baby Bank, Pet Food Bank, Snack Attack, Changing the Cycle for menstrual products, and Giving Gowns for grad dresses. It operates from a former fire hall at 5014 Waghorn Street, donated by the Town of Blackfalds in 2020 and renovated with help from a $100,000 MEGlobal Canada ULC contribution.
Food insecurity is a serious issue in Alberta. The province has the highest rate in Canada at 28.4 per cent, well above the national average of 24 per cent. As Blackfalds keeps growing, the hub sees more people who need a hand.
Residents can drop off donations at 5014 Waghorn Street, call 403-600-1768, or email [email protected]. More information about programs and how to volunteer is available at beyondfoodcommunityhub.com.
