A rendering of the proposed Red Deer Food Bank Community Kitchen. (Supplied)

By Suhaib Yusuf

2024 Completion Date

Rotary Club of Red Deer East supports food bank community kitchen

Mar 2, 2022 | 4:30 PM

The Rotary Club of Red Deer East is throwing its support behind a new Community Kitchen initiative proposed by the Red Deer Food Bank Society.

Rotary Club officials say they are taking a fundraising lead for the construction of the new community kitchen to be housed at the Red Deer Food Bank.

In 2024 the Rotary Club will be celebrating it’s 50^th milestone, so this collaborative partnership with the Red Deer Food Bank is described as a “Legacy Project”. The Club’s motto is “Service above self” and its projects like this that is said to inspire members of the club or a Rotarian if you will, to continue to improve the lives of individuals and families in Red Deer and central Alberta for many years to come.

As a Legacy Project, the Community Kitchen initiative at the Red Deer Food Bank, is aligned with and supports the club’s areas of focus, specifically community development. The project also aligns with the Red Deer Food Bank’s new mission statement, “To relieve hunger today, prevent hunger tomorrow”. The Red Deer Food Bank is also in the process of revealing a new logo which they will reveal in the coming weeks.

Officials say construction will have an 18-24 month timeframe and within that time, the Rotary Club of Red Deer East will embark on fundraising efforts that will tie the community even closer together.

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“We are delighted to have the Rotary Club of Red Deer East take point on leading our fundraising efforts for this project,” says Mitch Thomson, Executive Director, Red Deer Food Bank Society.

A total of $229,000 will be spent on equipment that is said to arrive sometime in late spring to May with expected completion to be around February to April of 2024.

Once the kitchen is no longer under construction, those looking to use the kitchen can sign themselves up for classes of many cuisines and more options for individuals looking to come in and cook their meals that will become available once the kitchen is open.

Officials say the Food Bank has had some reserve funds set aside for a special project like this and with the help and support of the Rotary Club and its ability to fundraise the remaining funds, the community kitchen that has been a dream for members of the Food Bank for 10 years is expected to become a reality.

If you would like to help support the Food Bank in this endeavor and be apart of this Legacy Project, watch for future fundraising events on the Rotary Club of Red Deer East and Red Deer Foodbank Facebook pages.

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