Summer is no picnic for many households in Central Alberta.
While some of us enjoy family barbecues, others can only imagine sinking their teeth into a juicy hot dog.
While we frolic on the beach or hike in the mountains, others stay home in aching silence.
Donations plummet following the Giving Season in November and December. We receive on average 50% to 60% of our annual income from donations in those two months. Yet the demand continues all year long.
The hit is immediate: In December 2024 we raised a record $176,653 dollars, only to be followed in January 2025 of donations totalling $12,113, a 93% drop in donation value. The monthly totals hover around 2% to 5% of our annual donation revenue for the next several months until late fall returns.
This was our warehouse going into the Labour Day long weekend in 2024. You can prevent this from happening again this summer by making a donation today.
While food drives happen throughout the year, and the intake of these goods goes a long way to filling our shelves, roughly half of the food we receive in food drives are not sustenance foods. Condiments, mixes, kits, pop and chips are nice to have available, but they do not contribute to making a nutritious meal. Add to this, we must purchase perishable food items such as meat, milk, margarine and eggs to complete the hamper contents beyond boxed, dry, and canned goods.
How much do those other items cost?
These are rough estimates as the prices and quantities fluctuate, but we spend about $5,000 a month on milk and eggs every month. Just for ground beef alone, add another $9,000 - $15,000. That means that we spend anywhere from $14,000 to $20,000 just on these perishable staples for our hampers.
No cost of operations. No staff wages. No utilities. Just the basics to complete our hampers.
And based on financial donations received so far this year, we are getting just enough to cover those costs — an average of just under $15,000 per month. You can appreciate, that several months of scraping to get by takes its toll on us, and on our accounts.
We receive no operational funding from government. We apply for grants that improve our infrastructure and equipment, but it does not purchase food or pay for services.
To keep us operating for the 10 months from January through October, we rely on the generosity of the community.
That’s why we decided we needed to build awareness of the needs we continue to face while to help offset the shortfall during these lean summer months.
Red Deer and central Alberta never ceases to amaze us with their big, open hearts and willingness to go the extra mile to support us. Thank you for always being there.
What do you do with my donation?
We know that so many are feeling nervous right now with so many distractions and concerns constantly coming to the surface. We certainly understand it is good to be mindful with your money. Be assured, we are equally mindful with your financial contributions, no matter the amount. Please remember that every little bit helps…
A donation of just $20 will supply fresh fruits and veggies in “After The Bell” summer food packs for ten children.
A donation of $50 can purchase milk for 15 hampers.
A donation of $100 will buy 12 pounds of ground beef to feed 4 large families.
A donation of $150 covers the cost of all contents for a monthly hamper.
Programs like Food Banks Canada’s “After the Bell” help provide healthy foods to children who lose access to school meal programs in the summer months.
Probably one of the biggest challenges we deal with every year is knowing so many children are struggling in the summer months. With the final bell in June, many kids in Red Deer and central Alberta lose access to school-based meal programs that helped nourish them through their school year. Nearly 40% of the people who are fed with our hamper program are children under 18. The number of children served almost exactly match the number of hampers we hand out — 1,000 children to 1,200 hampers.
It’s one of the reasons we ask that you consider making a donation at this time, to ensure these kids get food in their growing bodies over the summer months.
Can’t donate right now? You can stay in the loop on other ways you can support our work, and see everything we’ve got going on. Simply leave your email address and we’ll drop a line now and then with little news bits.
There will be many ways you will see us this summer as we raise awareness and funds:
Westerner Days: We have several organizations hosting pancake breakfasts and other events in July with a food drive and fundraiser aspect to help us get through the rest of the summer.
CARnivore Car Show: Scotia Wealth Management is hosting this event again on August 30 at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and it will be bigger and more spectacular than ever. All donations made on that day will be matched by Scotia Wealth Management! Watch for updates as the event gets closer.