On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, members of the Red Deer East Rotary Club held a special meeting at the Red Deer Food Bank. It was connected to the recent commitment by the Club to become a major capital donor to the Food Bank’s Community Kitchen initiative.
This legacy project will help celebrate the 50 anniversary of the Red Deer East Rotary (December 1973 and January 1974). It will also help mark the upcoming 40 anniversary of the Red Deer Food Bank.
The origins of the food bank concept in Canada go back to April 1980. There was a growing realization among agencies, who were serving the less fortunate that while there were increasing numbers of their clients who were suffering from food insufficiency, or outright hunger, there was a considerable amount of edible food going to waste in the community. Hence, an ad hoc committee was formed to look for solutions.
After considerable discussion and planning, on January 16, 1981, the Edmonton Gleaners Association was officially incorporated. Quickly dubbed the Edmonton Food Bank, it was the first such organization in Canada.
The early 1980s were some of the most challenging times in Canadian economic history. Governments were beset by escalating deficits and debts. There were large increases in commodity prices, including oil and gas. Inflation began to soar. Interest rates shot up in an attempt by the Bank of Canada to combat inflation.
Ironically, while prices were rising at an ever increasing rate, there were often shortages, particularly of consumer goods. It seemed that people were continuously being asked to pay much more for a lot less.
A deep and painful recession set in during the early 1980’s, particularly in Alberta. As inflation continued to rise, so did unemployment. Economists dubbed the situation “stagflation”.
Food banks were a means of dealing with the crisis. Following the example in Edmonton, in the spring of 1983, an ad hoc committee of various agencies in Red Deer studied whether a food bank could be piloted in Red Deer.
The idea took off. In the fall of 1983, the Red Deer Food Bank pilot began operations. Because there was not a charitable organization in place yet, the Salvation Army agreed to handle the charitable receipts.
The following year, the Red Deer Food Bank Society was incorporated to permanently operate the local food bank and to issue the charitable receipts. A big boost came when the Family and Community Support Services (F.C.S.S.) agreed to provide a grant.
In the first year of operations, more than 800 clients were served. Now, literally thousands are helped.
Food for the program over the years has come from a variety of sources including local supermarkets, donation bins, community gardens, local events, etc. Funds come from donations from organizations and individuals as well as grants. There are also a large number of volunteers to support the Food Bank’s modest-sized staff.
Food and goods have been stored and distributed over the years from various facilities and warehouses. The current location of the Food Bank is now on 49 Avenue, north of 74 Street.
The proposed Community Kitchen concept is a logical extension of the Food Bank’s operations. As a certified commercial kitchen, it will be able to process several food donations, through such means as canning and preserving, thereby further reducing food wastage. It will extend availability of certain food and produce beyond the usual seasonal harvest timespans.
Clients will have the opportunity to learn new cooking techniques that will help stretch food budgets, foster healthier food consumption and enhance food self-reliance.
Also, by having people work together in food and meal preparation, it is hoped that new personal bonds and a sense of community will be fostered.
The total cost of the Community Kitchen project is estimated at $300,000 with $100,000 coming from the Red Deer East Rotary Club as well as past donations to the Red Deer Food Bank and future fundraising.
More information can be obtained by contacting the Food Bank administration office or members of the Red Deer East Rotary Club.
Red Deer historian Michael Dawe’s column appears on Wednesdays.