After another successful food drive on Oct. 31, it鈥檚 clear the Jasper Food Bank Society doesn鈥檛 have trouble stocking its shelves, but according to president Patrick Mooney, the organization is struggling to find committed volunteers.
The volunteer-run food bank鈥攍ocated in the basement of St. Mary and St. George Anglican Church鈥� operates every Thursday evening. However, Mooney said, lately it鈥檚 been a challenge to find people to work the weekly shift.
鈥淲e were okay for a bit, but now our summer volunteers have left town. It鈥檚 always a bit of a problem getting people to commit to the hour and a half shift,鈥� Mooney said following the organizations annual general meeting. 鈥淚 continually get people who sign up, but then their schedules change and they can鈥檛 anymore.
鈥淚 need people that can dedicate one Thursday night a month to us.鈥�
The food bank currently only has three regular volunteers.
鈥淲e鈥檙e really short on volunteers right now, but if we could even get six people then we鈥檒l pair them up and then can work once a month,鈥� Mooney said. 鈥淪o if someone鈥檚 interested and they have a buddy then we can pair them up and they can do the shift together.鈥�
Those interested can contact Mooney by calling 780-852-4909.
With holidays approaching quickly, the food bank is also looking for volunteers on Christmas Day to serve their annual dinner at the Jasper Royal Canadian Legion.
On average, the Jasper Food Bank caters to about 500 people annually, a number that has remained the same for several years, according to Mooney.
On top of private donations from residents, both grocery stores in town also donate to the food bank.
TGP has a food collection box to collect non-perishable food items. There is also a collection box at the Jasper Activity Centre.
At Robinsons Foods, people can donate money through the Alberta Shares program. The provincial program offers customers the opportunity to donate $2 when they go through the checkout.
That money is then added to an account at Robinsons, which the Jasper Food Bank Society can use to buy items.
Editor鈥檚 note: Paul Clarke, the editor for the 51暗网, occasionally volunteers with the Jasper Food Bank.
Kayla Byrne [email protected]
