About
Edmonton’s Food Bank
Mission Statement
To be stewards in the collection of surplus and donated food for the effective distribution, free of charge, to people in need in our community while seeking solutions to the causes of hunger.
Each month, more than 15,000 people receive hampers from Edmonton’s Food Bank or one of the over 190 agencies, churches or food depots with which we are affiliated. The Food Bank also distributes food to more than 300,000 meals and snacks each month. Approximately 40 per cent of clients served are children under 18.
When individuals call the Food Bank looking for assistance, they are asked questions about their situation such as their name, address, family size, source of income, and what has happened that has left them short of money and food. During this process, the individual may be provided with information on other helping agencies or groups such as low-cost housing, collective kitchens, free meals, free or low-cost household goods or clothing, a food co-op, employment information (resumes, access to fax and phone), Health For Two (pre-natal health connection), emergency shelters and immigrant services.
Information on Edmonton’s Food Bank
*Works collaboratively with more than 200 agencies, churches and food depots throughout Edmonton, such as the Salvation Army, Operation Friendship, The Mustard Seed, Our House Addiction Recovery and the George Spady Centre. These agencies receive food from our warehouse to assist their clients.
*Serves almost 14,000 people per month through our hamper programs.
*In addition, over 350,000 meals and snacks are provided monthly through our affiliated agencies.
*40 per cent of our clients are children under the age of 18.
*Provides special festive meals to the community.
*Supports community events such as Edmonton’s bi-annual Homeless Connect.
*More than 1,100 events are coordinated each year in the community to raise food, funds and awareness for the Food Bank.
*Collected, sorted, repackaged, and redistributed 3.2 million kilograms of food in 2012. The approximate value of this food is over $17,000,000.
*Is a United Way agency but does not receive any core government funding.
*Provides warehouse space for our provincial organization, Alberta Food Banks.
*Is a recognized teaching facility for Concordia University’s Environmental Health Program.
*The Executive Director of Edmonton’s Food Bank is a member of the Order of Canada and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
*For the last four years, Edmonton’s Food Bank has been named one of Canada’s recommended charities by Charity Intelligence (www.charityintelligence.ca).
*Recipient of a Human Rights Award by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights in 2011.
Volunteers
*In 2012, more than 38,800 volunteer hours were contributed.
*Volunteers assist in warehouse duties such as sorting, repackaging food and packing food hampers. They also act as ambassadors for the Food Bank at special events and fundraisers.