Food banks and other service providers are being financially supported by the Government of Alberta. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Alberta Government announces up to $20 million to support food banks

Nov 23, 2022 | 10:49 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Food banks and other not-for-profits across Alberta are receiving financial assistance as many experience higher-than-usual demand.

The Government of Alberta announced two funding initiatives on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

One will see the allocation of $10 million over two years to food banks and other civil service agencies.

The government will also provide up to $10 million in matching donations over two years to food banks, charities, not-for-profits, and civil society organizations over two years.

Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services Jeremy Nixon says he is grateful for the work that food banks do in providing for Albertans in need.

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“By ensuring food banks within our province have enough resources, they will be able to support the communities and families they serve. It is my goal to ensure that no Albertan ever needs to wonder where their next meal will come from,” says Nixon.

Food Banks Alberta CEO Arianna Scott says the support is greatly appreciated.

“Additional funding to the food bank network is critical to ensuring adequate access to funding by food banks across Alberta,” says Scott. “We are confident that, together, we will be able to ensure equitable access to funding for all food banks, rural and urban, increasing capacity for food banks across the province to address the rising demands.”

Earlier this month, Lethbridge Food Bank Executive Director Mac Nichol told LNN that they have seen “a large spike in clients at the food bank over the last few months.”

Nichol believes this is largely due to the rising cost of living with the prices of things like utilities, groceries, gas, and more becoming more expensive.

Because of the higher cost of groceries, he added that food banks are not able to stretch their dollars as far as they used to.

The Household Food Insecurity in Canada report found that some level of food insecurity was seen in 20.3% of Alberta households in 2021.

Another report from HELPSEEKER highlights the 12.4% poverty rate in Lethbridge as of 2019, including 15.2% of youths.

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READ MORE: Food bank usage rising in Lethbridge and across Alberta

READ MORE: Report shows how pervasive poverty is in Lethbridge

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