Edmonton’s Food Bank has been serving our community for over 42 years. We operate as a central food warehouse and redistribution centre for Edmontonians and partner social services to address food insecurity. Because of increased need and long-term impacts, Edmonton’s Food Bank has invested extensively in the resiliency of our services. Thanks to donors and our community, we are welcoming a new addition – a third warehouse and programming facility.
Today, Wednesday, June 21, Indigenous People’s Day, Edmonton’s Food Bank has officially opened our newest facility to serve the community. The building, in between our Main and ANNEX facilities (11448 120 ST) will be home for our community depot and new pantry. This infrastructure is thanks to donors, our community, and grants – Alberta Government’s CFEP Large Funding Stream and the Realtors Community Foundation.
Edmonton’s Food Bank proudly serves the community of Edmonton on Treaty Six territory. This land that is the traditional home and meeting place for many Indigenous peoples including: the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Nakota Sioux, as well as Metis and Inuit. As part of its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, Edmonton’s Food Bank has named this new facility “NISO”, a Cree word meaning two as the facility sits nicely between our existing buildings.
“NISO” is also the root of many Cree terms that relate to the Food Bank’s mission, including:
- Nisohkamakewin meaning “assistance” or “help”
- Nisohkamakew meaning “help someone”
- Nisoiskeyiw meaning “reaches with both arms”
NISO is a fitting name and its addition will provide new programming options and assistance for community members struggling.
Representatives left to right: Marjorie Bencz, Executive Director (Edmonton’s Food Bank), Don Langford, Executive Director (Metis Child & Family Services), Councillor Jennifer Rice (City of Edmonton), Katherine Huising, Vice Chair (Edmonton’s Food Bank), Honourable Searle Turton Minister of Children’s Services (Alberta Government), Christopher Smith, Associate Executive Director (Muttart Foundation), Aaron Robinson (Realtors Community Foundation), and Zelda Quinney (Edmonton’s Food Bank).
