Gleanings
CONTACT INFORMATION
Executive Director:
Marjorie Bencz, CM
Director of Operations:
Mark Doram
Warehouse:
11508 - 120 Street
Edmonton, AB T5G 2Y2
Mailing Address:
PO Box 62061
Edmonton, AB T5M 4B5
Spring 2013
Message from the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
You may have heard of Pennies for People: A fundraiser that makes
cents! We launched this campaign on January 4, 2013 in response to
the discontinuation of the penny. For two months, Edmontonians dug
deep and entrusted their spare change to help those facing food
insecurity. Over 1.3 million pennies came rolling in for a total of
$13,118.37. Our dedicated volunteers, some corporate groups and
even Premier Alison Redford worked in our boardroom to get these
pennies and other loose change sorted, rolled and ready for deposit.
Thank you Edmonton!
Did you know that from May 6 to 10 is Hunger Awareness Week? Close to 900,000 Canadians
have relied on food banks this past month; approximately 14,000 of those in Edmonton alone.
What can you do, you ask? By learning about hunger and experiencing it personally, we can all
change the way we think about hunger and activate the changes needed to reduce it. Give It Up
for Hunger on Wednesday May 8th, by putting food out of reach and fasting for a day by
challenging yourself to give up breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Phone:
780.425.2133
Fax:
780.426.1590
In back-of-house news, we are currently seeking support to upgrade our phone system to better
serve our clients. And, there’s a new five ton truck on our wish list. Our current old warriors
have served us well and faithfully but are on their last legs. If you know of anyone in a position to
assist, please help get us connected.
@yegfoodbank
Looking forward, there are some wonderful events on the horizon this spring. Plant a Row, Grow
a Row to Feed a City kicks off the growing season with the annual Heritage Garden Seeds delivery
at Fort Edmonton Park on May 5. Also, from AMA’s Shredding events in April to Jeeps Go Topless
in May, we are gearing up for a spring season full of fun, creativity and renewal.
Edmonton’s Food Bank
Thank you for your continued support!
www.edmontonsfoodbank.com
Marjorie Bencz, CM
Executive Director
Hunger Awareness Week, May 6-10 is about raising
awareness of the solvable problem of hunger. Everyone can play a
part in reducing hunger. You can volunteer with us, donate food
and funds, or join us at our upcoming events. You can even give up
your meals for one day to understand what it is like to have food
out of reach. And, we’d be happy to take all that money you save,
off your hands. Hunger Heroes can connect with us on twitter
@yegfoodbank #hungerawarenessweek.
Plant a Row, Grow a Row
Bonjour … Having made the move
How often is it that you can enjoy a
favorite hobby and help others in your
community at the same time? The Plant a
Row, Grow a Row Project is a fun way to
do both.
from Quebec where rent averages
$2,000 per month and jobs are
scarce, a single Francophone mom
with 3 children, ages 7, 4 and 1,
arrives in Edmonton. Alberta being
the land of opportunity, they say.
For now, all she can afford is a place
in the inner city and she tries
desperately to find work. In the
meantime, she turns to Edmonton’s
Food Bank for a hamper to tide her
little family through. Of course we
provide the hamper, but beyond
that, we connect her with one of our
agencies, Centre d’accueil
d’etablissement. They will help her
find work, safe accommodation,
child care and introduce her into the
local French speaking community.
We wish this new Alberta family all
the very best.
Edmonton’s Food Bank invites local
gardeners to grow an extra row of root
vegetables or earmark extra vegetables for
donation to Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Your donation, whether it’s a handful
of green beans, a bag of tomatoes or a
truckload of zucchini, will be
appreciated and put to good use.
Donations can be dropped off at our
warehouse Monday to Friday
between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. For
more information, please call us at
780.425.2133
Gleanings is published three times a year by Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Page 2
Spring 2013
Join us at one or all of these upcoming events :
AMA Shredding: June 1
AMA's Free Shredding Event is your opportunity to bring up to 6 boxes of personal documents for safe and
immediate destruction and to learn other tips for preventing identity theft. The event runs from 10 am to 3 pm.
June 1 @ Beulah Alliance Church (17504 - 98A Ave)
Line ups are common so please come early, and of course, don’t
forget your Food Bank donation! Thanks to AMAzing partners EPS,
RCMP, CBC and Shred-it for their support of this event.
Five Hole for Food : July 17
Jeeps Go Topless Day: May 18
Join Bentall Kennedy, Alberta JK Owners Group, and Edmonton’s Food
Bank on Saturday, May 18th for the second annual Jeeps Go Topless
Day. This is a free family event with lots to do including air brushing,
hourly raffle draws, ramp travel index competition, on site food vendors,
silent auction and more!
Five Hole for Food is an organization that asks one simple
question: Will you play hockey for food? With an annual coastto-coast tour across Canada, Five Hole for Food plays ball
hockey in support of
local food banks both
nationally and
internationally. The tour
will stop in Edmonton on
Wednesday, July 17th in
Oliver Square West (104
Avenue & 118 Street)
beginning at 4:00 pm. Register a team or come by for a quick
game of drop-in. Don’t miss a chance to play with or against
some local personalities. 100% of all food and monetary
donations will go to Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Stop by the Oliver Square West (118 Street & 104 Avenue) parking lot
beside Beer Revolution between 10 am and 3 pm.
Plant a Row, Grow a Row to Feed a City
Join us on Sunday, May 5 at 10 am to walk, run or bike around Fort Edmonton
Park delivering “Heritage Garden Seeds” which Fort Edmonton will plant in
their garden. In the fall, the produce will be harvested and will support
Edmontonians in need through Edmonton’s Food Bank. Entry includes 2 packs
of seeds, $20 for adults and $10 for children and seniors. Visit our website or
the Running Room website to register.
CANstruction: May 5-22
Canstruction® combines the
competitive spirit of a design/
build competition with a
unique way to help feed
hungry people. Competing
teams showcase their talents
by designing giant sculptures
made entirely out of canned
foods, on display at Enterprise Square, 10230 Jasper
Avenue. Food from all structures at the end of the
competition are donated to local food banks.
Craft Beer Festival: June 14-15
A celebration of beer, food and community! On Friday June 14th
and Saturday, June 15th, the first ever Edmonton Craft Beer
Festival will be taking place at Northlands Expo Centre. Not only
will attendees have the opportunity to sample from the wide
variety of beers, ciders and meads, they can
also listen to brew masters discuss the
properties, characteristics and flavours of beers
in our Brew Masters Seminars. Edmonton’s
Food Bank will be on site collecting food and
monetary donations.
These are just a few of the many events that will be held in Edmonton this season. Please visit
www.edmontonsfoodbank.com for more information and to stay up to date with new events!