The Lethbridge Food Bank is reducing accessibility issues with it's Mobile Support Vehicle, June 18, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Lethbridge Food Bank reduces barriers by going mobile

Jun 18, 2022 | 5:02 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Lethbridge Food Bank (LFB) is taking steps to reach more people in need, with it’s Mobile Support Vehicle (MSV). The MSV was first introduced by the LFB in September of 2021, and now it is available weekly at different locations around Lethbridge.

Rhylie Wickens with the LFB says apart from being mobile, the MSV is open to serve anyone who needs a little extra help.

“A lot of times people don’t qualify for the food bank, so this helps them because they don’t need to qualify,” Wickens said. “It doesn’t matter what your income, everybody needs help sometimes, so it allows anybody who needs food to come access it. Also, some people who do qualify for the food bank can’t get here during our business hours, so they can at least get supplementary help outside of regular food bank hours.”

Wickens says what the MSV gives out changes from week to week, as it is usually stocked with surplus items from the food bank.

“It’s not the same every week. Usually it’s items that we have a surplus of at the time. We like to try and include bread and fresh produce. Bread is hard to have unless it’s a Friday or a Saturday when the MSV event happen,” said Wickens. “It’s not the same every week. Usually it’s items that we have a surplus of at the time. We like to try and include bread and fresh produce. Bread is hard to have unless it’s a Friday or a Saturday when the MSV event happens.”

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The MSV does face some hurdles however, the LFB isn’t allowed to just set up the MSV in any parking lot around Lethbridge. Wickens explained that the LFB has to work with organizations within the community who are willing to allow events to happen on their property.

“We partner with other organizations, and effectively use the parking lots. So we have the YMCA, we have the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, we have Westminster School, Mike Mountain Horse School,” said Wickens. “There’s quite a few different locations, we’re not allowed to park in city parks, so it’s kind of necessary to utilize other organizations, but they’re all on board and they help us promote the mobile at their location before it happens so that we can try and get as many people to access it as possible.”

The MSV events happen once a week from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. unless the schedule changes. The weekly schedule to find out where the MSV will be each week can be found on the Lethbridge Food Banks website.