A good shock for the Whitecourt Food Bank as a matching grant doubles December’s donations

A last-minute grant opportunity at the end of 2022 proved to be a game changer for the Whitecourt Food Bank. Through December, the provincial government matched every financial donation made to the food bank up to $50,000. When the clock struck midnight on December 31, 2022, the Whitecourt Food Bank had received $49,759 in donations. As good as it could get.

“All the companies and people that had donated enabled this grant to happen, and they didn’t even know about it. It’s a pretty cool thing between the community and the government and how it came together. They turned $50,000 into $100,000, just like that,” said Lori Coffey, Food Bank Manager.

“That’s our busiest month for donations, so it couldn’t have been a better month for this to happen. When I found out that they would be offering this grant and that December was the chosen month to match donations, I knew it would be good. There’s no other month we get the same amount of donations.”

Last week, MLA Martin Long attended the food bank to see what was purchased with the money. Coffey showed him the new sorting table they bought and said Long was genuinely excited about it, just as they were to show it off. “He understood the value of having that table and what it meant to us. We appreciated having him here to see it.”

The sorting table is like a massive counter that enables volunteers and staff to pack up to ten perishable boxes without setting up single tables to form a space, which they did previously. The table also has a storage space underneath. Before, any items stored under the tables were on the floor. Now, storage is up, off the floor.

Coffey said the funding also enabled her to hire another staff member. With extra help in place, Coffey focused on grant writing and has already brought in $66,000. Coffey said she uses grants to pay for staffing, rent, and necessary upgrades like the sorting table and bins. “We bought bins and totes with this grant funding, and it’s much better for us. It’s safer to use heavy-duty totes than it is to use random boxes that break down over time. It’s safer for all of us to work.”

Coffey also purchased rolling carts. Rather than move heavy boxes around, the rolling carts make moving things easier and safer, saving the backs of volunteers. “I can’t afford to buy these things, so this grant enabled me to bring it in. This grant was enormous for us to receive. It has boosted the food bank to where it needed to be.”

Along with a meat purchase, since meat is exorbitantly expensive, and a food order, Coffey spent every cent of the grant on the most impactful things she could think of. As she made the purchases, Coffey said she continually thought of the local businesses and people who made it all possible by donating funds in December. “We are such a strong community. I wondered how close I would get to the $50,000, and we got there. That’s this community, though. They are so supportive in a way that is just amazing. Not all food banks get the support we do here. The community of Whitecourt backs us, supports us, and makes this happen. They ensure we can meet the needs of people who need our help.”

Every cent goes to food when residents and businesses donate cash to the food bank. The matching grant was the first time the provincial government had offered such a program. Coffey said she hopes to see it continue. “It’s getting worse for people. The number of people we help is increasing. I needed more people to handle that and more resources.” Coffey said they give out 250 perishable boxes each month. Perishable boxes keep food waste down by getting it into the hands of those who can use it and need it. No identification is required to grab one, and they are given out multiple times a week. Coffey said on top of that, they do around 200 intakes a month too.

The grants Coffey succeeded in getting so far this year have enabled her to provide extra fruits and vegetables in hampers. She said grants that fund this type of addition are not typical, and she is happy to have enough funding for the fresh foods through the end of the year. “I want fresh, healthy, and good wholesome hampers.”

Those wanting to donate, who are still deciding what to buy, are encouraged to grab toiletries. Coffey said families with empty food cupboards have bare cupboards everywhere else in the home. She likes to provide items that would typically run out, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo/conditioner etc., but they must be donated. “This isn’t possible without support from the community. We are humbled and grateful for the support. It’s about community members helping their community, and this community rocks at it.”