By rdnewsNOW staff

Red Deer Food Bank hit hard by misrepresentation

RCMP warn public about scam solicitations from ‘Food Bank’

Nov 17, 2023 | 12:43 PM

Red Deer RCMP are advising the public to be aware of telephone solicitations asking people to donate to the Red Deer Food Bank.

“The Red Deer Food Bank has and never will use telephone solicitation to request money from the public,” said Mitch Thomson, Executive Director of the Food Bank. “At a time of the year when it is already tough enough for people in our community – and for us to keep up with the demand for our support – it’s extremely disheartening to hear about this illegitimate activity that robs both our donors and us at the same time.”

Food Bank officials say the scam was brought to their attention this past week when the family member of a donor called to inquire about the telephone solicitation.

“Upon further discussions with this person, we discovered that the phone number used was based out of Maryland, USA. We then notified the RCMP and they had already launched an investigation into the matter,” added Thomson.

There is a concern at the Food Bank that people who want to support them may have already given their financial information to a fraudulent group and encourages anyone who may have done so to speak with their banking institution.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

Apr 04, 2026

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

“This will also have a negative impact on our efforts to fundraise, as people who believed they’d already given to the Food Bank have had those funds stolen, and cannot donate again,” continued Thomson. “We’re hoping that we can continue to ask for our community to come forward and donate as they are able, particularly so after this sad situation.”

The most secure ways to donate to the Red Deer Food Bank is to visit their office in-person, or online through their secure provider at www.reddeerfoodbank.com/fund-raising.

For more information about the Red Deer Food Bank or to donate over the phone, please call 403-342-5355.

—

Download the rdnewsNOW mobile app on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all the latest updates on this and other stories.