2020 Year in Review at Edmonton’s Food Bank

Dear Friends,

2020 was a year like no other! It was a year full of unknowns with every emotion from fear to appreciation. COVID-19 framed every conversation and every decision.

Depots closed with the first pandemic announcement. Most re-opened as we worked through public health protocols. We provided plexiglass barriers, masks, and hand sanitizer to other agencies and to clients. A very special thanks to our depots and partner agencies who worked so hard to provide much needed services. You distributed hampers, prepared meals, and provided a sense of hope and security in very troubling times. Thank you for all that you do!

Our volunteers are true “Hunger Heroes” who walked this journey with us. Your commitment, smiling eyes, and hours of dedicated service are appreciated!

Edmonton's Food Bank relies on events, foundations, local funders, and kind donors to do our work. With the exception of 2020, we do not receive funding from any level of government for our operations, programs, or services. Also, we do not have any one funder or any specific donor that funds a significant amount of our operations. Given the uncertainty of the pandemic, donors have been very generous to Edmonton's Food Bank. These funds will enable Edmonton's Food Bank to continue to provide our programs and services into 2021.

The pandemic and its impact on our community, especially our most vulnerable, will be far reaching. It is imperative to plan for the unexpected challenges of COVID-19 and its lasting impact on our community and the people we serve. Edmonton's Food Bank, with the support of our community, is here to provide essential services.

I encourage you to read our 2020 annual report and watch our 2020 year in review videos to recognize the accomplishments of our community in working towards ending food insecurity.

Thank you for your loyalty and dedication.

Keep well. Keep safe.

Marjorie Bencz, CM

Executive Director

At the 2021 Annual General Meeting, we acknowledged 12 organizations affiliated with Edmonton’s Food Bank that pivoted and remained open during the pandemic, for the Janet Hughes Awards. We put together a few videos to say thanks to the Dayspring Church Food Depot, Drive Happiness, and the Edmonton Convention Centre.

We rely on the extended network of partners to help distribute food across the city and community food depots play a vital role for individuals and families to receive their hamper. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, our Dayspring Church Food Depot navigated these problems with creative solutions. From the Youth Director and young volunteers managing the depot at the onset of the pandemic to a volunteer partnership with another church, this neighbourhood food depot remains open and serving the community.

Thanks to our partner, Drive Happiness and their volunteers, we are able to get food to our most vulnerable. Whether the person is in isolation waiting for a test result or because of COVID, or immunocompromised, mobility, or other chronic health conditions, we are able to deliver their food hamper right to their door.

Prior to COVID-19, the Edmonton Convention Centre was a donor to our Second Helping program of prepared, un-plated food. Working with the Bissell Centre, the staff and cooks at the Edmonton Convention Centre received food from our warehouse to support Tipinawâw, the 24/7 temporary accommodation location. It is through these partnerships that we create a collective, positive impact for our community.