All Programs
The following event and programs are provided through the Airdrie Food Bank. If you would like more information on these or any other program we operate please contact us at the Food Bank.
Hamper Programs
School Programs
- Snack Attack
- R.J. Hawkey Breakfast Program
- G.E.A.R. Gathering Edibles for Airdrie Residents)
- School Partnership Programs
Hamper Programs
Food Hampers
With the high cost of living in Alberta, many from our community are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
Each hamper contains enough food for a week to ten days. Each hamper is individually prepared for the individuals or families applying and include nutritionally balanced food choices from the Canada Food Guide. Thanks to the generous donations of our community, we are not only able to provide canned and dry food pantry items to our clients, but hampers also include meat and dairy items, as well as perishable fruit and vegetables that we purchase from cash donations.
Food Bank clients may apply for a maximum of 6 hampers in a 12 month period, and only once in thirty days.
Best Beginnings
Best Beginnings provides nutritional support by improving access to nutritious foods and promoting food security for expecting moms and their families. It is run as a partnership between the Calgary Health Region and local Food Banks. Referrals are made by the local Health Unit and food is provided by the Food Bank. The pregnant mothers are monitored and a support group is provided for them during their pregnancy. In Airdrie the partnership includes Community Links who provide opportunities for the pregnant mothers to meet together for education and support.
Hampers are provided to program participants monthly and extra juice, milk and vegetables are given during their pregnancy.
Formula Hampers
Our Formula Hamper program provides formula to support moms and their babies. It operates in partnership with the Calgary Health Region. New moms are referred to the program by a local public health nurse and are able to access formula for their infants on a recommendation from their Health Care Provider. Moms and babies are monitored by the Health Unit to ensure their nutritional needs are being properly met. When formula is no longer needed moms are able to access baby food at the food bank on an as needed-basis without having to qualify for a regular hamper.
Milk for New Moms
Our Milk for new moms program provides milk to support moms and their babies. The program operates in conjunction with the Calgary Health Authority. A referral is made to us by a local public health nurse for access to the program by a new mom. We, in turn, provide the new mom with 16 liters of milk in a 2 week period while she is breast feeding. This ready access to milk ensures that moms are getting the proper nutrition while they are nursing and provides the best start possible to their babies.
Emergency Hampers
The Airdrie Food Bank’s Emergency Hamper program operates to provide a small hamper to recipients in crisis until they can get to the Food Bank for a more comprehensive hamper. These hampers are made up of a day's worth of food that does not need cooking including items such as juice boxes, easy open cans, granola bars and high protein nutritious snacks.
These hampers are given to local agencies within our area to hand out to clients in need. Local churches and Community Links are partners and participate in this program.
Bread and Extras
The Airdrie Food Bank provides bread and extras to anyone in need at any time during our regular office hours. You do not need to qualify for a hamper to access this program. Participants are encouraged to stop in any time we are open to access these items as often as needed.
This program operates to provide additional support to our clients.
School Programs
Snack Attack
The Snack Attack program provides emergency shelf items that includes snacks and breakfast foods to students through 22 school programs in Airdrie and surrounding areas. Snack items are provided on a as need basis. Schools place an order, which is filled and delivered by our volunteers. The purpose of this program is to make sure no child is hungry at school.
R.J. Hawkey Breakfast Program
The Airdrie Food Bank operates a program that feeds breakfast to children aged five to ten every school day morning. Operating from 7:15 until 8:00 a.m. it not only feeds the kids but mentors them as well. It fills a vital need in the children's lives by providing nutritional support as well as caring for their social and emotional needs.
Last year more than 5000 breakfasts were served to hungry children. Please feel free to stop in for breakfast anytime and see what we are doing at R.J.Hawkey School.
G.E.A.R. (Gathering Edibles for Airdrie Residents)
G.E.A.R. project enables schools to meet the Rocky View School (RVS) goals, while at the same time assisting those local and area families in need. Various RVS schools sign up for one of 10 months in a school year. Each school then collects food during that specific month. They can promote their food drive in whatever manner they see fit. Once the drive is completed, the school calls the Airdrie Food Bank who then sends someone to do the food pick-up. Upon drive completion, the Airdrie Food Bank provide a Certificate of Participation for that school, should they request it.
School Partnership Programs
Ways that school can partner with us
It's important that students learn about social issues. Your understanding of hunger and poverty will help build the public support that's needed for social change. We'd love to hear about your school, your class and your assignment. It's easiest for us if one person writes -- that way there's a better chance we'll have time to reply.
If you'd like to pitch in, your class can help by donating food, raising funds, or working alongside us as volunteers. Our location and phone number is on our contact page.
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Arrange to come in to volunteer during our regular business hours on PD days or during holidays such as March Break
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Register to volunteer at one of our sorting and hamper preparation on Wednesday evenings, or a special event that occurs on a weekend
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Organize a food drive at your school, church, or other organization. Be sure to register with us, so that we know what you are doing and can provide help such as sending our logo to put on your material. To register and get tips on how to conduct a food drive, please contact the Airdrie Food Bank at info@airdriefoodbank.com
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Volunteer as a groups. Attention teachers! Ask about a student tour and classroom presentation on hunger and the Airdrie Food Bank as part of your group volunteering experience. We can also provide a speaker for your classroom units on civics, social issues and related courses.
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High school students volunteering at Airdrie Food Bank should bring their volunteer tracking sheets. After completion of the required hours, each high school student will be documented as having these hours completed.
