(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

doors still open

Red Deer Food Bank remains open with increased health measures in place

Dec 21, 2020 | 1:41 PM

Officials with the Red Deer Food Bank Society say despite tougher COVID-19 restrictions announced earlier this month, it’s important for the community to know that their doors remain open.

Deputy Director Alice Kolisnyk says the safety and well-being of their clients, supporters, volunteers, and staff are still their top priority during this time of uncertainty.

“Currently, we have our client service area that is accessible to everybody at a maximum of four people at any given moment,” she explains. “When COVID started, we had changed our hamper pickup procedure to appointment only, so we ask that people come when they are asked. So far that’s been working pretty well and depending on what sort of changes come along, we’ll just be updating our way of doing things as needed.”

Additional measures in place to maximize safety for the community include:

• Stepped up our sanitizing routines

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• Client Service Area open but physical distancing needed (4-person max). People will be asked to wait outside if necessary

• Hamper request procedure is the same (calling ahead to 403-346-1505), clients will be given an appointed pick-up time through the front (normal entrance).

• Closed at 4:00 p.m. each day.

Kolisnyk strongly encourages anyone who needs help though, to give them a call.

“We’re doing well,” says Kolisnyk. “The community has always stepped up and they’re doing it again. This year has been a very weird, strange year for everybody but the community is supportive over and over again. Our stocks are filling up and we look forward to having full shelves for January and February.”

For those wishing to donate food it can be dropped off in the donation bins at the various grocery stores around the city.

Monetary donations can be made online at www.canadahelps.org.

“We are anticipating a higher demand than normal in January, but we’ll see what the New Year brings,” remarks Kolisnyk. “A huge thank you to the community once again. Your support for the Red Deer Food Bank is just so heart-warming and inspiring. People just come together in times of need in such a great fashion around here.”