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By Sheldon Spackman

Helping In Hard Times

Hope Mission Red Deer delivering food hampers to those in need

Apr 23, 2020 | 4:30 PM

An organization that helps serve some of Red Deer’s most vulnerable families is furthering its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hope Mission Red Deer has been providing food hampers, craft ideas and supplies to families in need over the past five weeks, with their most recent food hamper delivery taking place on Thursday.

Scott Barclay, manager for Hope Mission Red Deer, says their deliveries have been happening weekly as of late.

“It’s no secret that people are struggling this day and age, and all the situations that are going on, they’re all affecting us really differently, he explains. “But we’ve seen that the easiest way we can serve our community and help our neighbours out, is through food. So we’ve made it a goal to send out at least 10 food hampers a week.”

Barclay says those hampers can contain anything from chocolates and Easter treats, to canned goods, pastas, pasta sauces, rice, and even fresh produce like fruits and vegetables.

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“All we do is just leave it at the front door, ring the doorbell, and move on to the next house that we have connections with,” he points out. “We usually do after school programs, but because of the school closures, we’ve kind of switch our focus now to helping our families out.”

Barclay notes their donations come from partner churches and other agencies throughout Red Deer, as well as from generous members of the community.

“If they want to donate, they can go to hopemission.com,” says Barclay. “We’re anticipating doing this through the summer until the fall, but it’s hard to say.”

Barclay says those who receive the help are always very grateful.

“We get lots of texts and calls and even pictures of kids writing thank you notes, and drawing as creatively as they can,” adds Barclay. “We get calls and people are just speechless. They’re tearing up on the phone and it’s just so meaningful for them to know that they’re supported, and that there’s a way they can fill their fridges again.”

Barclay says a lot of community generosity has come through in their initiative.

“There’s a lot of layoffs, people are not working the way that they used to,” says Barclay. “So we were anticipating not seeing a lot of donations come through, but we have just been overwhelmed and very humbled with the generosity of community members, and different agencies and businesses around here.”

For those in need of an emergency food hamper, email reddeer@hopemission.com.