The new units are tall enough for a forklift to operate inside of it, allowing for work to be done more efficiently. (Photo: LNN)

By Joel Mendelson

Interfaith Food Bank unveils new cold storage units

Dec 6, 2023 | 2:10 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Interfaith Food Bank has installed two new cold storage units, which are significantly larger than the previous ones.

The project cost approximately $140,000, the majority of which was donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Aaron Low, president of the Alberta East Stake, which is a group of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, said, “Traditionally, we think of churches as a place where you go on Sunday and sit and learn about God. I think church is more than that and certainly by participating in the community and looking for ways that we can help those in need, this is what church should be.”

The new cold storage units have allowed the food bank to significantly increase the amount of fresh and frozen food that it stores.

Since the installation, the food bank has significantly increased its capacity for food storage. (Photo: LNN)

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Danielle McIntyre, Executive Director for the food bank said, “Prior to this upgrade, we were averaging about 70,000 to 80,000 pounds a month. After the install in our first full month using the units we had 100,000 pounds that we were handling here at the food bank, and then the next month we saw an increase to 188,000 pounds that we handled. Primarily, that increase [is being] attributed to the fresh and frozen capacity that we’re now able to accept.”

The added capacity was necessary because the food bank had to deny some donations as a result of not having enough space to properly store it.

McIntyre cited initiatives like the recent Lethbridge Police Service Charity Checkstop as events that go a long way in helping the food bank.

She added, “A thousand pounds of food goes out our doors pretty darn quick, but we are a nickel-and-dime organization so it’s those little bits at a time that are allowing us to do as much as we do.”

The new units will also allow work to be more efficient. They were installed flush with the ground, and the doors are tall enough for a forklift to move palets freely in and out of the units.

READ MORE: Over $5,000 raised during Lethbridge Police’s Charity Checkstop

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