The Airdrie Food Bank has put out a call for help as they are in dire need. According to the food bank, shelves lay bare and stockpiles are diminished to the lowest levels they have seen in a long time.

Christine Taylor, the Events, Marketing and Communication Manager at the Airdrie Food Bank stated more and more people are coming in asking for help.

"We are finding more and more two-income families needing our services. 44 per cent of the people that we do help are children. Our services are also being used by 55 per cent more people in Airdrie than in the previous year." 

Over the past year, they also saw 620 new families. The food bank is also currently experiencing something it never has before, which is turning down volunteers who want to help sort food just because they don't have the inventory.

"It's your neighbour, it's your friends, it's your colleagues. These are people that are working hard and they still cannot make ends meet because of the economy."

Airdrie's Food Bank food bank serves 12 per cent more children than the national average.

Here is your chance to help, upcoming on September 16 is the Citywide Food Drive and this food drive is crucial for the food bank.

"The food that we receive at the citywide Food Drive helps us get through the holiday, winter months and up to the spring. Unfortunately this past year, it didn't do that."

Taylor stated they know people are struggling to make ends meet but if people are able to help, it would be much appreciated.

Here are some things that can be done according to the Airdrie Foodbank to help out: 

  • During the week before the food drive, watch for donation bags delivered to your front door. 
  • Fill your bag with essential non-perishable foods that can be added to a meal or served as standalone nourishment and school-friendly snacks.
  • Please do not donate expired goods, food past their best before, damaged cans or packages, homemade foods, unsealed or opened items or alcohol.
  • Consider donating as a one-time donor or a monthly donor, through an easy online form found on their website. Details can be found on the bag tag.
  • Have your bags ready by the designated time, and volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be around to collect them on September 16.
  • If your donation bag has not been picked up, please contact the provided number on the donation slip or drop off your contribution at the food bank or any grocery store donation bin.

Some of the essential items that are used to fill the shelves but are now bare include soup, baked beans, pancake mix, syrup, Kraft Dinner, side dishes, 
peanut butter and jam. 

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