Families and individuals who get help from the Grande Prairie Salvation Army may also be able to receive grocery gift cards soon. The Grande Prairie branch recently received a $40,000 grant from the provincial government, as part of an overall influx of $10 million going towards 210 food banks across Alberta.
Executive Director Captain Peter Kim says the money allows them to go from physical food donations to gift cards for families already in tough situations.
“We planned to use them for gift cards for families so that they have the dignity and opportunity to shop as well for themselves, and that is such a wonderful thing when you can buy food that is culturally sensitive or just the preference.”
Kim says the funding came as a response to the crisis of going through two years of COVID-19 and one year of inflation across the province which led to an increase in food insecurity. In 2021, roughly 20 per cent of the population accessed the food bank, a number that was expected to rise in 2022.
“The number of children, families, and seniors with fixed incomes almost tripled in those three years that we normally have less and food banks couldn’t keep up with those demands,” Kim explains.
Also receiving grants are the Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools Education Foundation, the Khwahish Foundation, and the Pregnancy Care Centre Grande Prairie.