Appointment Required

✳︎

Appointment Required

✳︎

Appointment Required

✳︎

Appointment Required

✳︎

Appointment Required

Appointment Required ✳︎ Appointment Required ✳︎ Appointment Required ✳︎ Appointment Required ✳︎ Appointment Required

Everyone Deserves Access to Healthy Food

The Red Deer Food Bank offers multiple ways for individuals and families to access food support, including our appointment based Food Hub and our walk in Pantry Program.

Food Hub

  • fresh produce

  • dairy

  • bread

  • pantry staples

  • protein

  • household items (when available)

The Food Hub is a grocery store style food support system where individuals and families can choose foods that best fit their household needs, preferences, and cultural backgrounds. Clients move through the Food Hub selecting available items including:

How the Food Hub Works

STEP 1

Gather all necessary documents:

  • Photo ID for all adults in the household - (ID Card, Driver’s License, Passport, Status Card, etc.)

  • ID for all children in the household - (Alberta Health Cards, Birth Certificates, Passports, etc.)

  • Proof of Income for all adults in the household - (30-Day Bank Statement, AiSH Statement, Income Support Statement, Banking App, etc.)

When you arrive, you must have all documents with you (or on your phone). If you do not have them, you will be asked to get them and come back.

STEP 2

Complete the intake process in Bay 8. An intake worker will input your information into the system before you are taken into the Food Hub.

  • Be Patient; you may have to sit until one of our workers is free.

STEP 4 (optional)

If you qualify and have completed the intake process, you can sit with one of our Benefits Wayfinder staff.

  • Benefits Wayfinder is a website that asks a few questions and then comes up with a list of government benefits you may be eligible for.

  • Our staff will walk you through the program and print off the benefits that you are eligible for.

  • If you require further assistance, you can book a time for one of our staff to walk you through a fewapplications and provide additional support.

  • You are welcome to complete the Benefits questionnaire independently, but if you need help, please visit us in Bay 8 (Food Hub) and we will do our best to assist you!

STEP 3

Once your intake is approved and a staff member or volunteer is available, you will be welcomed into the Food Hub where you can select from a variety of available food items that best fit your household’s needs and preferences.

Pantry Program

No appointment is required for the Pantry Program.

The Pantry Program is designed to help distribute excess food products that become available through donations, food rescue partnerships, and surplus inventory.

Food availability changes daily and depends on what products have been donated or rescued.

The Pantry Program is open to everyone in the community and does not require an appointment.

Available items change daily and may include:

  • bread

  • produce

  • other surplus food items

Additional Support Programs

Our knowledgeable staff can connect you with the many support programs available in our community.

Whether someone needs a food hamper, or access to support programs and services to ease their struggle, the staff and volunteers at our Intake Office can point you in the right direction. We are also connected to other agencies and services in the community that may be of assistance, we can direct you to the right resources to meet your needs.

Benefits Wayfinder

If you are struggling financially or having difficulty accessing government supports, we may be able to help.

Benefits Wayfinder is a free online tool that helps you find government benefits and programs you may qualify for based on your personal situation. It can help identify supports related to income, housing, families, seniors, disability, and more.

You can use Benefits Wayfinder at your own pace and customize the information based on your household and current needs.

If you would like assistance, a volunteer or staff member can help guide you through the process. We understand that some individuals may face challenges with internet access, reading, forms, or language barriers, and we are here to help make the process easier.

You are welcome to complete the application on your own at benefitswayfinder.org, or visit us at the office and we can assist you in person.

To Access Benefits Wayfinder

Please visit us at:

Bay #8, 7429 – 49 Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta

Canadian Volunteer Income Tax Program

Keeping your income taxes up to date is important because many government benefits and support programs require current tax filings.

We offer a free income tax program through the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) to help individuals and families with modest incomes and simple tax situations.

Who Can Use This Program?

You may qualify if you:

  • have a modest income

  • have a simple tax situation

  • are a senior, student, newcomer, person with disabilities, or someone experiencing financial hardship

Generally, individuals earning $35,000 or less per year may qualify, with higher limits for larger families.

What Is a Simple Tax Situation?

A simple tax situation usually means your income comes from:

  • employment

  • pensions

  • government benefits

  • social assistance

  • RRSPs

  • scholarships or grants

  • small amounts of interest income

This program may not be suitable if you:

  • are self-employed

  • own a business

  • filed for bankruptcy recently

  • have investment income over $1,000

Do I Need an Appointment?

No. This is a walk-in service and clients are helped on a first-come, first-served basis.

What Should I Bring?

Please bring all tax documents you have for the previous year, including:

  • T4 slips

  • T4E slips

  • benefit statements

  • any other income documents

It is always better to bring more paperwork than not enough.

Location

To access the Volunteer Income Tax Program, please visit:

Bay #8, 7429 – 49 Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta

Other Agencies

Central Alberta Poverty Reduction Alliance (CAPRA) provides Financial Literacy programs. Keep an eye out for future information sessions in our space.

Employment Placement & Support Services (EPSS)provides employment programs and training opportunities.

We look forward to hosting sessions with these and other agencies in the coming months.

Any agency in Red Deer or the surrounding area is welcome to rent a cubicle office space in order to provide a work station and meeting space for personnel with clients. For information on these arrangements, please contact admin@reddeerfoodbank.com.