This is harvest season—a time of plenty for many. This year, more Albertans than ever are struggling to afford the basics, including nourishing food.
Food banks throughout Canada are busier than ever. Food insecurity is an emergency; more than it was in 2024 and 2025; and much more than it was in 1998 when this October’s recipient was founded. Food Banks Alberta is the central agency that “supports and serves those who support and serve.”
They help by raising awareness of the ongoing need; by purchasing food in bulk and transporting it to where it is most needed; by fundraising and distributing funds to help keep the lights on and the doors open in more than 112 facilities across the province.
“We fill the gaps where hunger hits hardest. Each delivery is tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by the communities we serve,” explains their central website. “We meticulously plan food allotments to align with community demographics and peak times of need. This includes increasing provisions during winter months and supporting child nutrition programs during school holidays.”
The work of Food Banks Alberta goes well beyond sourcing and distributing food. The agency provides grants and funding, training, and administrative support, allowing the individual food banks to focus “focus on what they do best: feeding hungry Albertans.”
Diminishing social assistance resources in Alberta is also a big factor, and those affected are not just the unemployed. There has been a sharp increase in working people who are struggling to make ends meet. One-third of program recipients are children again this year.
Many food banks do more than provide food. In addition to providing food hampers at multiple locations in the city, the Calgary Food Bank runs a school lunch program (in partnership with the Breakfast Club of Canada), provides food and supplies to other qualified organizations for distribution through their Food Link program, does outreach to unhoused communities, and more.
Through their Beyond Food initiative, Edmonton’s Food Bank partners with other organizations in the city to help their clients access a wide range of services, including literacy and education classes, employment preparation like resume-building and interview training sessions as well as job fairs, financial and tax services, and a wide range of assistance navigating other social services.
While this fundraiser is directed to Food Banks Alberta, the need is high across the country. Whether you’re reading this in Golden, Medicine Hat, Saskatoon, or anywhere else in Canada, please consider making a one-time or monthly donation to your local food bank; the current affordability crisis means any one of them could use your help.
About Vicars School Giving Clinics
Our Giving Clinic program reflects our values as a school and is a way of giving back to the communities that support our school. Each month, we dedicate one student clinic day in Edmonton and one in Calgary to a cause that aligns with our values. On these days, 100% of student massage fees are donated to the chosen organizations. We schedule Giving Clinics on high-demand days to maximize the impact of our donations.
This month, every dollar from our two Giving Clinic days in Edmonton and Calgary will be donated to Food Banks Alberta. You can help boost the impact of our giving clinics by booking a massage, by telling a friend about our clinics, or by supporting the organizations directly.
