When you hear the word “food bank,” what comes to your mind? In Canada the words food bank is used to describe any large-scale food recovery program that redistributes food that’s free of charge, to the community. It’s usually through social service agencies or churches.

According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, in 1981 the first food bank was developed in Edmonton, Alberta by the Edmonton Gleaners Association. They saw that the community needs it. There’s a conference held in Edmonton (1985) and in Toronto (1986) led to the establishment of national organization, Canadian Association of Food Banks (now Food Banks Canada). Click here for more information about Food Banks Canada. They do much more than providing food. Miss Susan told us that they also help their clients to look for jobs.

There are now over 3000 food banks and community agencies that come together to serve the most vulnerable neighbor who – last year- made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone. Source: Food Banks Canada, HungerCount report. The three largest groups that use the food banks are people receiving social assistance, disabled individuals, and the working poor. And this year due to the pandemic, there’s is a greater need to fulfill. Food Banks Canada’s vision is: A Canada where no one goes hungry

At the grocery stores, most of the time there’s a large box that you can put food to be donated to the local food bank. The grocery stores make it easy for everyone to donate, but did you know that if you donate money, the money you donated stretches three times more? It means when you buy one can of beans, the Food Bank can buy three cans of beans. This is because they buy in bulk so it is cheaper. Plus in Canada you get a tax receipt when you donate money. Pictures below are taken in Edmonton’s Food Bank. They have two large warehouses to store all the food. They have a lot of donations coming in from many businesses. Food Banks also needs volunteers to sort and pack foods. I was able to volunteered last year at our local Food Bank in New Brunswick. Here in British Columbia, we are going to volunteer also.

My parents told me that there’s a feeding programs for children in school in our town. My father regularly volunteered at a school breakfast program before we move to New Brunswick. It’s sad to know that their are kids that go to school hungry. So I’m doing my part with my parents to stop hunger. I would like to encourage my fellow Canadians to donate to their local food bank or click the donate button at the end of this post. To my friends all over the globe, you can donate to your local food bank. Stay safe!

Donate to Food Bank