StettlerLocal.com December 22, 2021
The Christmas season is always busy for food banks worldwide, and the Stettler food bank is no exception. This time of year, donations are at an all-time high, as are requested hampers.
Mark Higgins, the new president of the Stettler Food Bank board, says, “The community is extremely generous around Stettler.” Both individuals and businesses in the Stettler area donate generously to keep the food bank well stocked.
Mark says that the Stettler food bank is run by a core of dedicated volunteers. Due to COVID restrictions and their small space to work, they are not currently able to accept extra volunteer help inside the food bank itself but they are always happy to accept volunteer-raised donations.
What the food bank always needs is cash donations as cash allows volunteers to purchase perishable food items and fresh produce. They can also use these funds to buy whatever they may be short of to complete hampers.
Families can access the food bank twice a calendar month, whereas individuals with no children can access it once per month. The Stettler food bank operates out of the United Church basement and has regular weekly open hours. The application process is simple and the first time visiting the food bank you’ll need to bring identification for yourself and your family members. The food bank uses a computerized intake system part of the Food Bank Canada Network to allow for consistent statistics on who and how many are using the food bank regularly. No personal information is shared.
No screening and no proof of income are required to visit the food bank.
Each visitor to the food bank is given a hamper with dry goods, dairy, meat, and bread products.
There are also hours that the food bank is open to receive donations. For more significant contributions, please call ahead to make arrangements to have someone available.
There is a dropbox for non-perishable items at the Stettler No Frills and in the Stettler United Church - although this one is not always available due to COVID restrictions.
Information on the Stettler Food Bank is available on their Facebook page and on the StettlerLocal.com website and app under Organizations.
Jimilee Ayotte, Editor
StettlerLocal.com