The annual Cochrane Food Drive has moved up the date after seeing an increase of families in need.
“The food bank told me their shelves are bare right now,” explained Jackie Shier, executive director of Helping Hands.
The semi-annual food drive is run in partnership with Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area and the Cochrane Activettes, the group that runs the food bank. The twice-a-year food drive, typically hosted in October and March, help contribute to 90 per cent of the food bank stock, organizers explained.
This year, the food drive has been moved to September after organizers noticed an almost 30 per cent increase in need. In the 2015-2016 year, the Activettes food bank helped 353 families, compared to the 274 families the year before.
“We are definitely seeing an increase in use,” Shier said.
A Cochrane mother who accessed the program last year said she is grateful for the program.
“I am a single mom and struggle to make ends meet, some months are harder than others … it has been so amazing being able to access the food bank the months that are harder to make ends meet,” she said, asking to remain anonymous. “Knowing that the food bank is there helps so much with the peace of mind knowing I'm able to put food on the table that month.”
Organizers are also encouraging rural participation for the upcoming food drive in communities such as Bragg Creek, Redwood Meadows, Springbank and Bearspaw.
“Those communities typically donate to the Calgary food banks, which is fine, a food bank is a food bank, but what many people don’t realize is anyone living in the western Rocky View are referred to the Cochrane food bank,” explained Terrance Haxton, chair of Helping Hands.
Organizers are asking people to put their unexpired, non-perishable food items in the donation bag and leave it on their doorstep before 10 a.m. Sept. 17. People can also drop off items at Safeway, Save On Foods or Sunset Ridge Pharmacy.
Drop spots have also been added in Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows at the Bragg Creek Foods store and Redwood House.
Organizers are also encouraging people to go the official Facebook page at “Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area” and share posts to increase awareness of the event.
The annual food drive will take place on Sept. 17, starting at 10 a.m., with organizers and volunteers sorting the food at the new location, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sport Centre, located at 800 Griffin Road East.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Helping Hands organizers at 587-580-9448 or email [email protected].
FACTBOX
Where you can donate:
Safeway, located at 304 Fifth Ave., Cochrane.
Save On Foods, located at 65 Bow St., Cochrane.
Sunset Ridge Pharmacy, located at 101 Sunset Dr., Cochrane.
Bragg Creek Food, located at 15 Balsam Ave., Bragg Creek.
Redwood House, located at 1 Manyhorses Dr., Redwood Meadows.
