What a year it has been for our food programs! Over 2,500 hampers left the Women’s Centre this year destined to homes across Calgary.
More than 1,000 emergency hampers were assembled by volunteers to provide a one-day supply of food for families waiting to access other food resources. The remaining 1,500 hampers were given out through our Thursday Food program.
The Thursday Food program is an amazing feat of collaboration and contribution at the Women’s Centre. First food donations are picked up by volunteers from the Interfaith Food Bank and Cobbs Bakery and brought to the Women’s Centre. Then another dedicated group of volunteers are ready to unload, sort and assist women in selecting the donated food to take home.
During the summer months donations of fresh vegetables and herbs also come in from the Community Garden at Fort Calgary, adding some much needed and very much appreciated fresh produce to everyone’s grocery bags.
This year, our Thursday Food program helped over 400 Calgary families. In the 44 days that the program ran in 2011, volunteers helped families collect over 1,500 hampers.
Amazingly, our volunteers accomplished this in just three hour weekly shifts. Thanks to their hard work, efficiency and good humor, our amazing volunteers made the food room a welcoming place for women to receive much needed assistance.
Unfortunately, due to limited space and resources we are not able to increase access to our Thursday Food program at this time. The need continues to grow but we are only able to accommodate the families that are currently using the program.
Thank you to all of our donors and volunteers who make our food programs available to so many women. Have a wonderful holiday season and we’ll see you again in 2012!
Aimar + Carolina