It's shaping up to be a tough summer at the Red Deer Food Bank, unless donations pick up, its executive director says. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

summer could be difficult

Red Deer Food Bank marks 40 years of helping community

Apr 14, 2024 | 10:20 AM

It’s been four decades since the Red Deer Food Bank opened its doors, and while it’s going strong, times do get tough from time to time.

This summer is shaping up to be a challenging one unless there’s a boost in donations over the next handful of weeks.

Executive Director Mitch Thomson said as much at a well-attended open house on Saturday to celebrate the milestone anniversary.

“This food bank was formed by caring people who wanted to see that their neighbours didn’t go hungry. Forty years later, we’re doing that still, but with astronomical numbers and at a difficult time,” says Thomson, grateful for the opportunity the open house gave to thank people for their contributions.

A geodesic greenhouse at the Red Deer Food Bank which offers 16 varieties of fruits and vegetables for clients. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

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“We’re more than 100 per cent busier than just a couple years ago. I’m not usually worried about how we’re going to make the next month, but right now, we’ve got about three weeks worth of food.”

Thomson has faith it’ll come together, even though the world is more divided than ever, harkening back to the spirit of not wanting to see our neighbours go hungry, regardless of our differences.

“It’s that desire to extend a seat at the table and ensure everyone has what they need. That’s what keeps the food bank going, and that’s what we’re celebrating,’ he says.

In 2023, the Red Deer Food Bank installed a geodesic dome to grow food year-round — the dome currently offers 16 varieties of fruits and vegetables, which are distributed through hampers.

A sign inside the Red Deer Food Bank’s warehouse reads “Food is the ingredient that bunds us together.” (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

In the months to come, the food bank will start to use a new hydroponic facility to grow lettuce in a separate structure.

Thomson encourages people, if they are thinking of donating to the food bank, to consider a few things.

“Of all the food that comes into the food bank, 57 per cent is things like condiments and spices, stuff that doesn’t fill a belly. The rest is stuff we really need, and beyond that, I go buy milk, margarine, eggs, ground beef and chicken legs all year. Cash enables us to buy that dairy, meat and other special items,” he explains.

“Cash is king. It allows us to purchase certain items when they run out, or to make strategic purchases. We can stretch a dollar much further than the average citizen.”

The Red Deer Food Bank is always innovating, as evidenced by the addition of wrap-around services like benefit wayfinding services and a new teaching kitchen.

Red Deer Food Bank Executive Director Mitch Thomson shows off the new kitchen where classes are teaching clients new cooking ideas. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

The wayfinding allows Thomson’s team to help clients create financial foundations, while the kitchen gives people the skills to use the food they receive from the food bank in the best — and tastiest — possible way.

“When clients come in, we qualify them based on their income and circumstances; we identify the different provincial and federal programs that can assist them and help them apply for those benefits,” he says.

“We know that if create financial foundations for people who going without, hopefully it’ll help them become more resilient in the future and able to support those dependent on them.”

‘Kitchen 49,’ as it’s been dubbed, can teach 16 people at a time, and will soon include children’s programming.

For more information about the Red Deer Food Bank, located at 7429 49 Avenue, visit reddeerfoodbank.com.

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