Helpful Info
Feel free to view the various resources available online or contact the AFBNA office directly toll-free at 1.866.251.2326 or
Food Banks Canada Ethical Foodbanking Code
Food Banks Canada Safe Food Handling Program
Charitable Donation of Food Act
Food Connections
-This document provides information on a variety of resources available in communities across Alberta that address food insecurity.
Food Drive Toolkit
- Download a copy of the toolkit today. Don’t forget to customize the toolkit with your food banks’s information, logo and specific needs.
Hamper Contents
What can you expect to find in a hamper? Food Banks rely on donations and therefore hamper contents vary depending on what is available. Most Food Banks utilize the Canadian Food Guide in order to provide a variety of food groups and healthy eating options. Food Banks are also doing their part by building hampers that are tailored for individual needs such as gluten free, allergies and culturally appropriate food items. Because donations vary, Food Banks often purchase items that they are short of to meet the needs of their clients.
If you are looking to donate, contact your local Food Bank to find out what they need most. Or when in doubt, cash donations are always appreciated.
HungerCount
Many people do not realize the extent of hunger’s reach in this country. Each month, close to 900,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks, and 38% of those helped are children and youth. The problem of hunger is a persistent one, with food banks providing comparable levels of food and other assistance for the better part of a decade.
Who is turning to food banks? There is no single, typical profile. The people helped include families with children, employed people whose wages are not sufficient to cover basic living essentials, individuals on social assistance, and Canadians living on a fixed income, including people with disabilities and seniors. HungerCount is a national survey of a typical month for a Food Bank.
Please visit the AFBNA Food Banks Canada page for additional information or visit Food Banks Canada directly.
Consider these 2012 figures or review the full HungerCount
In Canada:
-882,188 people accessed a food bank in March alone
-38.4% of those turning to food banks are children and youth
-7% of households helpede live on a pension
-11% of people assisted are Aboriginal
In Alberta:
-53,512 people helped by food banks in March
-44.1% are children
-23.8% have income from current or recent employment
-55.5% of those assisted by food banks identify as women
-10.7% of food banks ran out of food in the month of March
Neighbours Helping Neighbours: A Food Bank Manual
Please contact the AFBNA office directly to obtain a copy (Free to members).