Edmonton Food Bank looks to Heritage Festival to fill bare shelves, empty stomachs

As people head down to Edmonton’s Hawrelak Park to stuff their faces full of food this weekend, the Edmonton Food Bank is also hoping Heritage Festivalgoers will stuff their donation boxes as well.

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For Edmonton’s Food Bank, the annual multicultural celebration is its single largest food and fundraising event — in a year when demand is at a record high.

The food bank said in 2016, client numbers reached a record high and, unfortunately, in 2017 the demand has only grown.

“We’re seeing people from a variety of backgrounds and needs, we’re seeing people who are working for low wages, we’re seeing people on social welfare programs that are not getting enough to make ends’ meet,” said Edmonton’s Food Bank executive director Marjorie Bencz.

“We’re seeing people who are paying again, higher rates for housing — Edmonton’s not a cheap place to live — and by the time they pay for their rent and other fixed costs, they are relying on the food bank.”

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Last year, Edmonton’s Food Bank collected just half of its donation goal at the Heritage Festival, in part due to poor weather shutting down the festival on a Saturday afternoon.

In past years, donations from the Heritage Festival have sustained the organization through the difficult summer months.

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Each month, between 20,000 and 24,600 people are served through the hamper programs, according to the food bank. The organization also provides food for programs delivered by over 250 agencies, churches, schools and food depots.

The food bank said right now, its shelves are empty. It is counting on the community to help by bringing a monetary or non-perishable food donation to the Servus Heritage Festival, which runs Aug. 5 to 7 in Hawrelak Park.

The three-day event features 71 pavilions from around the world, where people can sample food, see creative performances, and experience Canada’s multiculturalism.

Food bank volunteers will be accepting unused food tickets which, after the festival, will be redeemed for cash towards the food bank’s own purchases.

If you can’t head to the festival, donations can be left at all major grocery stores and City of Edmonton fire halls. Financial donations can also be made online or through the CanadaHelps portal.

There is no parking at the festival, but the Edmonton Transit System will be operating park and ride shuttles.