Christmas is a difficult time of year for many people and for some turkey dinner isn’t even an option.
That’s where the Okotoks Food Bank comes in.
Food bank executive director Karen Wilke said the not-for-profit organization provided food hampers for 129 homes last Christmas and expects close to the same again this year.
To help offset the costs, the food bank’s Christmas Adopt-a-Family initiative encourages families, organizations and businesses to sponsor a family in need.
Sponsors are provided with a grocery list allowing them to purchase the non-perishable items and donate the cost of the perishable items, which are purchased closer to the distribution date. She said many sponsors enjoy the experience of shopping for the food while others choose to donate the money.
“It all makes a difference,” she said. “The more we have the more we pass along to clients. We try to be very generous with what we have.”
In addition to the increased need for food this time of year, the Okotoks Food Bank is trying to raise money to secure a new location.
The organization, which is currently situated in the Okotoks United Church, is in need of a larger facility, said Wilke.
“We are just trying to save what we can to go toward a building fund,” she said. “We have been actively looking since the spring.”
Wilke said indoor space isn’t the only factor when considering a new location. Parking and accessibility are also a must.
“We’ve looked at a lot, but it’s quite high rent,” she said. “We are very limited with our monthly bills. We are completely donor based.”
Food bank treasurer Jacques Plamondon said other expenses people don’t consider are administrative costs associated with sending out note cards, thank you cards, receipts and advertising, which also spike this time of year. Although it’s a small percentage compared to the cost of food, it is an expense, he said.
What the 27-year-old organization is especially hit hard by is its phone bills, he said.
“Our phone bill always goes through the roof at Christmas,” he said. “It almost doubles because we have so many people calling us.”
Ongoing costs include rent, their part-time staff member, insurance and banking fees, Plamondon said.
“This time of year is such an expensive time for us with all the hampers going out,” he said. “A lot of it is covered by donations, but some years they aren’t. We try and make sure we assist everyone who needs it so we can keep their expenses down too because they don’t have the money to do this.”
Western Wheel Publisher Paul Rockley said with the increased need this time of year, it only made sense that the Okotoks Food Bank be one of its charities of choice.
“As sad as it may be the need is always going to be there,” he said. “It’s important that we all consider the plight of those less fortunate than us. With Okotoks being a community of young families I’m sure there are people who we wouldn’t realize could use the extra help this time of year.”
Because of its increased need for food this time of year, the Okotoks Food Bank is one of Western Wheel Cares’ four foothills charities in its new fundraising campaign.
Okotoks Western Wheel Publisher Paul Rockley hopes the campaign will raise $5,000 before 2013 to be split evenly between the food bank, Foothills Country Hospice, Rowan House Emergency Shelter and the Sheep River Health Trust.
For more information contact Gayle Wolf at 403-938-6397 or [email protected]
To participate call the Western Wheel office Monday to Friday from 9-5pm (403-938-6397) and make a donation using your credit card. We also accept debit, cash and cheques (payable to 'Western Wheel Cares'), either dropped off at the office, #9 McRae Street or mailed to Box 150, Okotoks, AB T1S 2A2 (please do not mail cash). Or visit www.westernwheel.com to donate using Paypal.
All donations of $10 or more will receive a 2012 official tax receipt at the end of the campaign.
For more inquiries please contact [email protected].
To make a donation directly to the Okotoks Food Bank or to participate in the Adopt a Family program call 403-651-6629.
