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By Alessia Proietti

One third receive turkey, ham or chicken

Red Deer Food Bank says Thanksgiving won’t look the same for many central Albertans

Oct 7, 2022 | 11:41 AM

Many people in central Alberta will not have the ability to celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way as others with a turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, says Mitch Thompson, Executive Director of the Red Deer Food Bank.

“Really, we’re just not able to do something special for Thanksgiving for many people. About a third of the families that we’re serving this month will actually receive a turkey, a ham, or a chicken. The other two thirds, we just didn’t have it to provide,” he said.

He states that the organization is serving roughly 5,400 people per month, with 3,400 walk-ins and 800 household emergency food hampers delivered, in comparison to the roughly 600 hampers a month in 2021.

“Numbers are up 60 per cent over last year month-over-month and we are struggling to keep up with demand,” he said.

Thompson confirms they are on track to receiving their usual amount of 1.43 million pounds of food donations distributed daily over the year. However, with the highest demand the organization has seen in over 40 years, he says the supply may not be enough.

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“Right now we are within a couple weeks of having no food in the food bank. It is that critical that we manage our stock and keep banging the drum and asking people to continue to give if they have any ability,” he said. “Inflation is a big issue; people are going to be considering whether they should pay for their heat or whether they should eat pretty soon.”

While receiving some fresh food donations from local farmers due to the harvesting season, Thompson says the essentials are in need like breakfast cereals, meats, milk, and canned items like soups, fruits and vegetables.

He confirms by mid-September this year, they have already served the same amount of individuals as last year in its entirety. He also states as the food bank serves central Alberta as a whole, they are expecting 65,000 residents to come through the door by the end of the year.

Although supply is being stretched, Thompson says the community must be thankful for the continuing support of central Albertans.

“The community, even in different economic times, continues to contribute. We have amazing volunteers and people that are incredibly generous. People have been growing acres of food for the food bank,” he said.

The Food Bank will be closed for the holiday on Thanksgiving Monday and reopen at regular hours on Tuesday (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

READ: Potters Hands nears one-millionth meal served this Thanksgiving