July Newsletter Check out what we've been up to this second quarter

July Newsletter
Check out what we've been up to this second quarter

So many great things went on this past quarter we could hardly choose our spotlights.
 
We are truly grateful for all our volunteers for your ongoing support in helping us with everything from our Brown Bag Lunch Program to our daily chores.
 
We would also like to thank everyone who made a gift to support us this 2nd quarter. Your contributions will help us to continue providing not only access to food, but a source of hope and inspiration to the community members with whom we work. 
If you haven't already, you can make a donation today. Thank you!

OUR GARDEN SPACES
 
If you are out in the community take a minute to check out our beautiful gardens they are coming up nicely. We have our beautiful food bank garden, one in front of the Strathcona Center and one In front of the parks office on Kipling Street. They are open 24/7 for our community to enjoy, and if you pick a weed while you are there we wouldn’t complain 😃
 
“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” Audrey Hepburn
 
Thank you to all the members of our community who helped plant and continue to weed and spread love in our gardens.

Open 24/7

BASICS FOR BABIES
 
This 2nd annual event is one of the many fine events our community holds for us and is a major fundraiser in helping to support low-income parents of Medicine Hat.
 
“I think baby items, and specifically diapers, are often overlooked and not donated,” said Chris Hellman, owner of Mr. Lube. “The Food Bank went through 50,000 diapers last year alone, so the demand is very high. This is a great way to boost up their inventory and make sure they have what they need to help their clients.”
 
In addition to the donations that were accepted outside of the building, $10 from every oil change at Mr. Lube was donated to the cause.
 
Be sure to watch for this event next year, along with the many other events throughout our great community.

Fundraise For Us

CANSTRUCTION
 
Members of the community put their creativity to the test for a good cause. CanStruction returned for its second year, with eight sculptures on display at Medicine Hat College. The sculptures were made entirely from food products. Engineers helped construct each teams designs down to the number and type of cans. This years theme was Heroes and Villains.
 
CanStruction is a fun way for communities to build fantastic, giant structures made from non-perishable food items and then donate all food used for the build to the Food Bank. Typically each build donates around 2,000 cans.
 
So start gathering your team for next year as we would love to see you there.

Video

GRADUATING CLASS

 
We are so excited because we also have a graduating class this year!
 
The food first program is aimed at assisting up to ten low income families with supplementary food, coaching / mentorship and system navigation to enhance their over all well being. We know that food security is linked with poverty, shelter and high daycare costs. 
 
This program demonstrates that by addressing food security and nutritional needs through a community based approach, we can benefit low income families, the public system and the Medicine Hat community as a whole.
 
"I found a huge boost in my own confidence and my quality of life increased as well."
 
This program was specifically designed to target low income families with children who regularly use the food bank. We aim to recruit families with complex needs of whom were identified as experiencing multiple challenges and chronic food insecurity.

 
This is a 12-week mentorship program where the participants are taught how to cook from the Basic Shelf Cookbook using available ingredients and kitchen skills starting with basic cutting and chopping. They are taught to be mindful of food safety and how to incorporate spices and items such as lentils to make their meals stretch further to feed their family. Meal planning and budgeting are also primary aspects of the program. 
 
"I am proud to show my family how to cook nutritious meals by incorporating fruits and vegetables into every meal." 
 
In addition to crock pots, kitchen supplies and grocery gift cards, our participants receive a full size deep freeze for their home that supports large batch baking and storage of affordable meals.
 
Also each family receives a crock pot, a deep freezer, misc cooking items, and helps prepare healthy meals to stock their freezers.  We are here to support them through this journey.
 
If you would like to sponsor someone for our next session we would love to hear from you!
Sponsorship for Food First Project is $275/pp