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Alberta Food Banks

Alberta Food Banks, also known as the Alberta Food Bank Network Association (AFBNA) evaluates and researches programs to benefit Alberta food banks. These programs are initiated and supported by Alberta Food Banks to help its members in food and fundraising, and awareness efforts.

Members receive newsletters and are kept informed of Alberta Food Banks developments.

Alberta Food Banks provides a wealth of resource material and acts as a communications pipeline for its members so that food banks can function efficiently and share ideas.

Alberta Food Banks promotes Alberta food banks on a provincial level.

Alberta Food Banks pays for the National Food Sharing System (NFSS) pallet fees for all Alberta food banks.

All Alberta Food Banks members automatically benefit from provincial initiatives as well as national inititatives from Food Banks Canada.

2011 Reports

HungerCount 2011 and the Alberta Provincial Report

On November 1, Food Banks Canada published the HungerCount 2011 report. It analyzed food bank use across the nation, and presented detailed provincial statistics for each province – including Alberta. However, the provincial reports were published separately on the new Food Banks Canada website. If you want to read the Alberta Provincial Report, click here. You can read reports for other provinces here.

Alberta Food Banks 2010 Annual Report

Click here to view the 2010 Annual Report

Upcoming Fundraising Events

Loblaw Extra Helping Holiday 2011 Food Drive

Since 2009, Loblaw has hosted the semi-annual Extra Helping Food Drive – one of the largest retail food drives in Canada. Proceeds from the campaign provide food and financial support for food bank programs across the nation.
From November 25, 2011 to December 15, 2011, Loblaw will hold its Extra Helping Holiday 2011 Food Drive. Information on this event is limited, but you can read about the event at the bottom of this page, or on this Food Banks Canada webpage.

The Fort McMurray Food Bank Association: Syncrude Food Drive

The Fort McMurray Food Bank Association is seeking organizations willing to help out with its annual Syncrude Food Drive – which runs from December 2, 2011 to December 4, 2011. This opportunity provides organizations the chance to build camaraderie, promote their business, and give back to the community.

Volunteer groups are needed to:

• Collect food donations and distribute shopping lists at Fort McMurray supermarket locations
• Unpack and sort food items at the Fort McMurray Food Bank warehouse

Volunteer openings are available in two blocks throughout the weekend. To register as a volunteer—or for more information—please contact Arianna Johnson, the Executive Director of the Fort McMurray Food Bank Association, at 780–743-1125.

Useful information for donors: Charitable Tax Credit

Community Spirit Program

As we approach the end of 2011, we want to remind organizations and their donors about the benefits of the charitable tax credit. Alberta has one of the highest charitable tax credits in Canada. The provincial tax credit was enhanced a few years ago to help increase private donations to Alberta’s non-profit and charitable organizations.

When you file your personal income taxes, you can claim the total amount of charitable donations you gave in the past year. You may be eligible to receive a combined 50% non-refundable tax credit if the total amount of donations exceeds the $200 threshold. If the total amount of donations is below the $200 threshold, you can receive a combined tax credit of 25%.

Visit the program website and click on the Charitable Tax Credit link for more information. There is also a document on the website that provides further information about the benefit of the charitable tax credit.

For more information, please call Community Spirit Program at 780–644-8604

News

Alberta Food Banks Kitchen Blog

Announcing the creation of the Alberta Food Banks Kitchen Blog. Visit the blog here

Important Notices

Food Banks Alberta

Food Banks Alberta (formally the South Central Alberta Food Bank Federation) is an organization which has no connection with the Alberta Food Bank Network Association (also known as Alberta Food Banks) or Food Banks Canada.

Food banks who are members of the AFBNA are automatically affiliate members of Food Banks Canada and share in all the benefits derived from that membership, including the National Food Share System.

Should you have any questions, please contact our office at 866–251-2326 or contact@afbna.ca.

Important Notice Concerning Cedar Publishing

In an effort to communicate in an open and effective manner with you, our valued supporters and members, the AFBNA Board of Directors would like to make you aware of a situation involving the former publisher of our provincial newsmagazine called the AFBNA : Food Bank Network Newsmagazine.

In 2008, the AFBNA and Cedar Publishing entered into an arrangement that produced a newsmagazine. Our goal with this publication was to support Alberta Food Banks by generating awareness of the work of Food Banks and general food insecurity.

Our organization has received a number of complaints concerning the business and solicitation activities of Cedar Publishing. Because of these complaints and our concern about the integrity of the AFBNA and our members, we have terminated our relationship with Cedar Publishing. In other words, Cedar Publishing no longer has our authority to use the AFBNA or Alberta Food Banks name or trademarks.

If you have concerns or questions, please contact Suzan Krecsy, AFBNA Chair, at safb@telus.net. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.