Emily Plihal
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Smoky River Regional Food Bank Society is hosting a 50/50 draw to help raise funds to help relieve hunger and advocate for long-term change.
The group has been working hard to raise funds to stock the shelves in the food bank and to ensure they can hire staff to help facilitate it.
“We need to start raising money so that we can hire a coordinator to run the food bank,” says the food bank’s Crystal Tremblay.
“Currently, the FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) office is facilitating it and this will allow it to stand on its own.”
Tickets for the 50/50 draw are available either through the FCSS office in the Town of Falher office, by phone at (780) 837-2220, or will be available at the SARDA Ag Trade Show from March 27-29.
Tremblay says they hope to raise sufficient funds to help start making the food bank totally independent.
Smoky River Regional Food Bank became independent of the High Prairie and District Food Bank Society back in late 2023. Their mission was to ensure all food collected could be kept within the region.
“A group of people interested in creating a local food bank and society was formed and a lot of research and reading allowed us to develop policies, procedures, and bylaws to establish a robust foundation to ensure our food bank could operate successfully,” says Tremblay of the process.
“The Smoky River Regional Food Bank board oversees the policies and management of the food bank, supported by volunteers and the Smoky River FCSS program. Now we are ready to hire a coordinator for the program but require funds to do so.”
The food bank delivered 117 hampers in 2024, totaling 7,932 pounds of food. The program supported 164 adults and 98 children, ensuring they had access to meals.
Tremblay explains in 2024, volunteers donated 15 hours of time per month on average at the food bank.
She urges people to donate food, if they are able. Donation spots include Falher Foods, Falher Co-op, Smoky River FCSS Office (located in Town of Falher office) and the Town of McLennan Office.