With only a couple weeks left until the 10 year celebration of the Chestermere Regional Food Bank, the timing of learning about this remarkable service group is hitting close to home. The state of our provinces economy already had food banks seeing an increase in clients, but as we now see the devastation happening in Fort McMurray, it becomes even more clear the importance these groups play in our communities.
2013 saw the Chestermere Regional Food Bank holding their Casino in February where they received over $45,000! They could now fix their bins, get some printing done, buy cash boxes, banners, a computer and enough gift cards to last until the next Casino. Scotiabank’s Bright Futures topped up the funds with another $5,000. Both of these sums of money could not have come at a better time as The Community Spirit Grant was discontinued, so this was a sigh of relief for the food bank.
Kim Mikkelsen was voted in as Treasurer and Vicki Osanyintola voted in as Volunteer Co-ordinator and the public relations rep. Elaine joined our volunteer base and Wendy became secretary. Mardi and Cindy continued in their roles and after 7 years, Doug resigned.
“Our first ‘Rich Man/Poor Man’ fundraiser was held bringing in another $4,600; Starbucks and Harvey’s invited us to their ‘Friends and Family’ event – a practise run before they open to the public, with cash donations to the Food Bank!” says Oel.
Lots of support from the community continued to pour in as Kyla Longstaff arranged a really fun food drive at one of the local hockey tournaments. George and Marg donated potatoes from their farm in Drumheller and Cathy Burness looked after a garden just for the Food Bank out at Devonna’s. “We brought Meals on Wheels to Chestermere and had our first client!” adds Oel.
A great tradition began at Halloween with a local family operating a frightening Haunted House. Admission was a donation to the food bank and in only one evening the bin was overflowing!
The conversation about find new space for the food bank began and a relocation committee was established as they were losing volunteers due to the excessive and exhausting work in moving food around town. Evolve Learning and the Co-operators offered us space on the main floor, which we were seriously looking into. The lamb, potatoes and donations from M & M Meats and Starbucks were stored in several volunteers’ freezers so when a hamper was being made up, perishables had to immediately be delivered to include with the hamper.
A very successful ‘meet and greet’ was held at the Yacht Club with a road trip to the Airdrie Food Bank a week later where they were given 26 turkeys, potatoes and onions. First Student School Bus provided the transportation and their go to volunteer, Janine was happy to drive the group. Three of their new recruits joined and were happy to turn their homes into a storage facility for the Food Bank. “Takisha, Kathy and Betty would prove to be major assets in the years following”, says Oel.
2013 saw 133 hampers given out with an additional 31 Christmas hampers. A total of $14,525 was given out in gift cards and Chestermere’s population was 15,762.
