File photo of the Lethbridge Food Bank (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

AMA issues challenge to help out local food banks

Nov 17, 2020 | 11:39 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Motor Association (AMA) has put out a call for help.

The AMA is asking Albertans everywhere to share their non-perishable food items with their local food banks. From November 17 to December 16, the AMA is hosting the #StackToSackHunger campaign, in support of Fill Our Fleet, an annual campaign for food banks across Alberta.

There are many ways Albertans can help out:

• Social media challenge: Albertans are asked to dig into their pantries and share what they may have stocked up on during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can share a photo or video of a “creative food tower” with the hashtag #StackToSackHunger, then challenge three friends to do the same. People can drop off their stacks at their nearest AMA centre.
• Donate online: Albertans can give directly to their local food banks by donating online at FillOurFleet.ca. Every dollar buys three meals for a neighbour in need.
• Donate in-person, following COVID-19 guidelines: Non-perishable and monetary donations will be accepted at AMA centres across the province.

“Of course [with] this year being so different and the pandemic causing many different changes in planning and other initiatives, we’re so fortunate and so glad AMA has created this campaign to continue to support our food bank and be able to bring much needed food support and financial support to us,” said Maral Kiani-Tari, executive director at the Lethbridge Food Bank, one of the banks benefitting from #StackToSackHunger.

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Kiani-Tari said like many other organizations, it’s been a challenging year for the Lethbridge Food Bank because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the beginning, initially, we saw a spike in our numbers and of course, with the government’s financial support, the numbers sort of went down during the summer but with colder months, we usually tend to see a higher need in our community. There will be more people walking through the doors and needing that support,” she told LNN.

“With the governmental and financial supports kind of tapering down, we have seen an increase in our numbers and there’s going to be a lot of people that, historically are not our clients, that are gonna walk through the door; those who have lost their jobs or are experiencing that extra challenge this year. We want to make sure people know we are open, and we are ready, and we are here to help anyone that’s going through any challenges and any need that they have, we’re here to support.”

Kiani-Tari encourages anybody who wants to donate to contact the Lethbridge Food Bank. Additionally, the Interfaith Food Bank will benefit from the #StackToSackHunger campaign.