Even though the Jasper Food Bank handed out less food this year than any time in the recent past, president Patrick Mooney said too many families still don鈥檛 have enough to eat.
From July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, Mooney said the food bank handed out 426 hampers. While that鈥檚 still high, it鈥檚 not nearly as high as it has been in recent years, when Mooney said the food bank has handed out closer to 700 hampers.
That trend is country-wide. In their annual report on Canadian food bank usage, Food Banks Canada points out that while less people in the country used food banks this year, significantly more people are still taking home hampers than before the 2008 recession.
As Mooney opened the food bank doors, Nov. 7, an older gentleman strolled in, greeting him and the volunteers warmly. As he walked into the narrow storage room, volunteer Nicole Boucher Savage leaned close to him, her eyes wide and a big grin on her face.
鈥淚鈥檝e got something special for you,鈥� she exclaimed in a whisper, cupping her hand to the side of her mouth.
鈥淥h yeah, what is it?鈥� the man replied.
鈥淐offee, and milk and fruits!鈥� she exclaimed, fluttering her hands together as the man laughed.
Outside the packed room, Mooney sat on a foldout chair surveying the scene. As he talked about the evolving role of food banks, the gentleman sauntered out, with an overstuffed bag under his arm.
鈥淕oodbye, Patrick,鈥� he said jovially.
Food banks, Mooney said, have more or less followed the same formula since they first popped up in the 80s.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a lot smarter and wiser than we were decades ago,鈥� he said. 鈥淔ood banks need to evolve.鈥�
He鈥檚 pushing that evolution in Jasper by strengthening the organization鈥檚 partnership with Community Outreach Services. The organizations have begun an 鈥渆nhanced family program鈥� that aims to lessen or completely eliminate struggling families鈥� reliance on the food bank.
鈥淚t allows the family to use the food bank more than the desired amount, but for a limited time,鈥� Mooney explained.
During that fixed period, the food bank sets the family up with someone from Community Outreach Services, who guides them through the steps needed to become self-reliant.
鈥淪ometimes there鈥檚 hidden factors, factors the families might not even be aware of,鈥� he said.
Leaning back in his chair, Mooney鈥檚 voice softens and his forehead wrinkles. He said that even though people are only supposed to come to the food bank once in a while to get through a rough patch, he鈥檚 not going to turn anyone away.
鈥淚鈥檒l never say no,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 tough to walk through those doors.鈥�
Mooney pointed out that he wouldn鈥檛 have that luxury without Jasperites鈥� generous support. Every October the food bank teams up with the Rotary Club to scour the town, going door-to-door for donations and taking home huge piles of non-perishable foods to fill the shelves. Donations also pour in from the town鈥檚 schools.
鈥淚t makes me proud to be a member of this community and humbled by their generosity,鈥� he said.
Trevor Nichols
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