The Red Deer Food Bank is heading into their busiest time of the year.
“We are always looking for donations of perishable and non-perishable food items, we are coming into our busy time of the year starting in September,” said Alice Kolisnyk, deputy director.
She said the summer has been pretty quiet this year, but that the supplies are down as per usual because donations drop in the summer months.
She also added the food bank is looking forward to their upcoming Operation Food Lift event where they team up with Sky Wings Aviation. The date of this event is yet to be finalized.
“For a $25 donation a person can go for a flight over Red Deer in a small plane.”
In conjunction with the flights, there will be a yard sale going on where people can rent a table for $10 and sell their items. “That way while people wait to go flying, they can shop.”
There will also be an on site concession serving a pancake breakfast and a BBQ lunch.
Kolisnyk said it’s important that people know what they can donate when it comes to perishable and non-perishable items.
“It’s hard to drop off perishable items at the bins in stores, but if you have a garden that is abundant you can bring your excess right down to us. As far as non-perishable items anything that you had for supper last night that was in a box or can is great.”
Any canned meats, vegetables or fruits are good donations as well as pastas, dry soups, school snacks and juice boxes.
Kolisnyk also wants people to remember that in October the Mormon church teams up with the food bank to provide a way to donate.
“The Mormon church gets together and canvases the north side of Red Deer with notices and bags for food and then returns the following week to collect the bags of food from people’s mailboxes or front steps.”
She said it is a very well received way to donate and that it collects thousands upon thousands of pounds in food.
“With the manpower of the Mormon congregation they can cover a very large area in a short time.”
Kolisnyk also shared some exciting news about plans for some upcoming renovations for the food bank.
“We are moving within the same complex, but it’s going to create a much more volunteer friendly environment.”
Instead of having one bay which cools off significantly in the winter while trucks unload, the food bank will now have two bays and the ability to add a commercial kitchen.
“This commercial kitchen will mean we can also offer cooking classes for those clients who might need ideas on how to use the food we are able to provide to them.”
Also, on Aug. 24 the Red Deer Food Bank is teaming up with the Cruisin’ 2 Cure Cancer fundraiser downtown Red Deer in the parking lot at the corner Ross and Gaetz. They will have a BBQ for a cost so people can eat while they attend the Show and Shine.
For more information on the Red Deer Food Bank visit www.rdfb.rdfoodbank.com.
kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com
