The Stettler Food Bank is grateful for the support in the community.
Between the three big grocers in town being “very generous” with donations every week, each having collection boxes, and the local Hutterite colonies being “extremely supportive” through their regular donations of produce, the Stettler Food Bank is rarely left in need.
“We’re very well supported,” said long-time volunteer Betty Birch.
“We’re always grateful.”
The support has never been more important, according to Birch, as numbers have been climbing slightly in recent months.
According to Birch, Food Bank usage in in January and February of 2023 has seen around 150 hampers go out with around 10 new households making use of the service every month; however, Birch continues that not all families come in every month, which keeps the numbers steady.
Families can access the Stettler Food Bank once or twice per month depending on whether or not there are children in the home. Families with kids can access the food bank twice per month while those without are limited to once a month.
One change the Stettler Food Bank made during the COVID-19 pandemic which has continued is that instead of client’s being able to have a selection of items for a hamper, all the hampers that go out are built off a standardized list.
“It’s way more efficient,” said Birch.
How big the hamper a family receives depends on the size of said family; a couple may get one box while a family of five may get two or three of various items, though Birch notes that they all contain milk, meat, eggs, and cheese slices.
“We buy a lot of that,” said Birch.
While the Stettler Food Bank is supported through local donations, it is also a member of Food Bank Alberta and Food Banks Canada, which gives it some funding and ability to bring in supplies from a warehouse in Leduc, Alta., once a month.
“Food Bank Alberta has really developed. They really provide good support,” said Birch.
With the Stettler grocers and residents ensuring the organization has a steady supply of both perishable and non-perishable items, the main needs of the Stettler Food Bank are funds to allow them to purchase the items that are not donated, donations of personal hygiene items — which aren’t usually purchased, and manpower.
According to Birch, the Stettler Food Bank makes use of around 15 different volunteers throughout the week, many of whom are seniors. Volunteers need to be able to lift heavier weights, such as cases of pasta sauce, and be available during the daytime.
The Stettler Food Bank is open for clients from 12-2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 7-8 p.m. Wednesdays.