Gleanings a newsletter from Edmonton’s Food Bank

Winter

2012

Contact Information:

Gleanings is published 3 times a year by Edmonton’s Food Bank. Executive Director: Marjorie Bencz, CM Director of Operations: Mark Doram Office: 11508 - 120 Street PO Box 62061 Edmonton, AB T5M 4B5 Phone: 780.425.2133 Fax: 780.426.1590 Website: www.edmontonsfoodbank.com Twitter: @yegfoodbank Facebook: edmonton’s food bank

If you are organizing an event

and require a pick-up of your

donations, please contact us at

780.425.2133 and allow a five

business day window for this to

occur. Non-perishable donations

from individuals can be dropped

off at any City of Edmonton Fire

Station, any major grocery store

or at the Food Bank. If you

require more information on how

to support the Food Bank, please

check out our website at

www.edmontonsfoodbank.com

or call us at 780.425.2133.

Edmonton’s Food Bank is proud to

offer mobile device owners the

ability to connect with us instantly

by scanning our new QR Code.

Whether to get event details, make

an online donation or volunteer,

simply scan the squiggle at the

bottom and your

device will load

Edmonton’s Food

Bank website.

Season’s Greetings from

the Executive Director

Edmonton’s Food Bank envisions our community without hunger.

We are committed to addressing the immediate food needs of

individuals and families while working with the community in seeking

solutions to the causes of hunger. We believe that we must continue

to solicit new food sources, feed the poor, speak on their behalf, and

be a model in both thought and operation. Over the years, the

programs and services of the Food Bank have changed to meet the

need and new partnership opportunities in our community. However,

what has not changed are our values of respect, dignity and a

commitment to reduce hunger in our community. These values are

demonstrated day after day by our volunteers, supporters, and food

partners. These dedicated and caring individuals give generously of

their time, food and money to help their neighbours in need. THANK

YOU never seems enough!

The following are just some of our successes because of your support:

Serves approximately 15,000 people per month through our

hamper programs.

In addition, over 350,000 meals and snacks are provided

monthly through our affiliated agencies.

40% of our clients are children under the age of 18.

Provides special festive meals to the community.

Supports community events such as Edmonton’s bi-annual

Homeless Connect.

Provides warehouse space for our provincial organization,

Alberta Food Banks.

Food distribution to more than 200 agencies, churches and food

depots throughout Edmonton, such as the Salvation Army,

Operation Friendship, The Mustard Seed, Our House Addiction

Recovery and the George Spady Centre. These agencies receive

food from our warehouse to assist their clients.

As you celebrate this

festive season with your

family and friends, please

reach out to those less

fortunate. As always,

thank you for your time,

money, support and

messages of hope.

On behalf of the Board,

staff and volunteers of

Edmonton’s Food Bank,

we wish you peace and

happiness.

Marjorie Bencz, CM

Executive Director

“Thank You and Best Wishes for the Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!”

J. Anne Smith, Board Chair, Edmonton’s Food Bank

Gleanings Page 2 Winter 2012

Have Fun and Support Edmonton’s Food Bank

Other Ways to Support Edmonton’s Food Bank this Season:

As you are aware, Edmonton’s Food Bank works year round to help reduce food insecurity and hunger in our community. Over 200 agencies, churches and food depots receive food from the Food Bank. We assist approximately 15,000 people with food hampers each month and provide food for over 350,000 meals and snacks. Almost 40% of our clients are children. In November and December, there are numerous fantastic events throughout the city in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank. Feel free to come out to one or more!

Citadel Theatre’s Christmas Carol: November 30 to December 23 Based on the story by Charles Dickens, Edmonton’s Favourite Holiday Tradition continues for an unprecedented thirteenth year. With an unforgettable story, rich characters, and dazzling special effects, A Christmas Carol is exceptional family entertainment.

Bethlehem Walk: December 6 to 10 Not only does the Bethlehem Walk bring to life the first Christmas, it helps fill Edmonton’s Food Bank shelves with non-perishable donations in December. Guests travel 2,000 years back in time to the marketplace in Bethlehem to see the first Christmas come to life. There are shepherds tending live flocks of sheep, angels soaring overhead, Roman guards and citizens in the village, a live manger scene and more. http://www.weca.com/bwe/

Edmonton’s Singing Christmas Tree: December 7 to 9 Imagine a stage ornamented with whimsy, a 35-foot singing Christmas tree, and an audience in wonder! Adorned with thousands of glimmering lights, filled with 150 heart-felt singers,

all accompanied by a live orchestra in the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. This is Edmonton’s Singing Christmas Tree! This year’s charities are Edmonton’s Food Bank and Santa’s Anonymous.

Holiday Train: December 11 (South of CP Station - 7935 Gateway Blvd – 8:30 pm) The goal of the Holiday Train is to collect food and money for local food banks and to raise awareness in the fight against hunger. At each event stop, the Holiday Train provides a box car stage, a line up of great musical talents and a corporate contribution to the local food bank. The community, in turn, is encouraged to donate

food and funds, all of which stays in the community.

CBC Turkey Drive: December 13 to 20 Once again, CBC and Lilydale are teaming up to raise food and awareness for Edmonton’s Food Bank through their Annual CBC Turkey Drive. You can help make this holiday season a little less difficult for families in need by donating online securely through the Canada Helps link at

www.edmontonsfoodbank.com, in person at CBC in City Centre Mall and in person at Edmonton’s Food Bank located at 11508 – 120 Street. A $30 donation represents one turkey for a needy family during the holidays.

Candy Cane Lane: December 15 to January 1, 2013 The sights and sounds of Candy Cane Lane instill the spirit of Christmas in all of us. The colourful light displays and unique decorations bring out the magic of the season for young and old alike. Christmas in Edmonton is not complete without a walk down Candy Cane Lane. Candy Cane Lane is a free family event. Donations to Edmonton’s Food Bank are gratefully

appreciated. Walking is the best way to enjoy the lights. Candy Cane Lane runs along 148 Street between 100 Avenue and 92 Avenue.

Loblaws Extra Helping Campaign: November 22 to December 20 Food Banks Canada and the Loblaw group of food retailers support local food banks each year with their Extra Helping Campaign.

ETS Stuff a Bus: November 29 to December 1 Please take your non-perishable food donation to any Save-On Foods location and remember every dollar and every can donated makes a difference.

City TV Tree Sale: December 7 (from 5:30 am – 1:00 pm) City TV and Home Depot will be selling beautiful Christmas Trees in Churchill Square in support of Edmonton’s Food Bank. It’s your chance to help others in the community through your seasonal celebrations.