The Rimbey Food Bank continues to rely on the community for ongoing support during these trying times.
To that end, they did land some generous community support via the Rimbey Lions Food Bank Drive for food and cash which was held Aug. 21-22 at the Co-op.
About 429 lbs of food was donated to the Food Bank, and cash collected amounted to $1,414.85. The Rimbey Lions donated an additional $500 to the cause, so the event ended up raising $1,914.85 in cash donations, said Jamie Coston, volunteer programs coordinator with the Rimbey Family Community Support Services.
“The Food Bank drive was phenomenal,” she said, adding that volunteers spent the two days at the Co-op taking donations and filling a trailer. “It was a huge help,” she added of the Lions’ own generous donation of $500 as well.
Coston said another good news story from the Food Bank was the honouring recently of long-time volunteer Elaine Varty, who has lent a helping hand at the Food Bank for 30 years. “She’s an extremely valuable person there - everyone loves her and we all really appreciate her.”
In terms of Food Bank operations, Coston said donations are, of course, always welcome - particularly in light of the ongoing pandemic and its affect on people’s financial issues. Coston said the level of need did pick up during the month of August.
With CERB payments also expected to cease at the end of September, it’s expected demand for donations will increase as well.
“We are kind of low on canned vegetables - we have lots of canned corn but not any of the other vegetables,” she said.
The Food Bank is operated out of the basement of the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene on Wednesdays.
As to the pick-up routines at the food bank, staff and volunteers continue to work hard to keep everyone safe in the midst of the pandemic.
Coston does the in-takes on Tuesdays and then on Wednesdays the hampers are picked up.
As for FCSS news, the organization along with help from the PCN has been putting together meetings on Zoom to help keep folks and clients better connected across the community. “It’s a program done through us, and Norma Bauer is our facilitator. She does Zoom meetings with them once a week.”
Meanwhile, there is a wide range of helpful programs run through the Rimbey FCSS including everything from Adult Day Support, Volunteer Visitors, Meals on Wheels and Home Support Services to Palliative Care and Personal Care amongst others.
For more information, call 403-843-2030.