Lynn Florence
Director
Food Bank, Part II
The High Prairie and District Food Bank Serves the communities of: High Prairie, Big Lakes County, M.D. of Smoky River, Falher, McLennan, Girouxville, Donnelly, Guy, three Métis Settlements-East Prairie Metis Settlement, Gift Lake Metis Settlement, Peavine Metis Settlement, five First Nations-Sucker Creek First Nation, Driftpile First Nation, Whitefish First Nation, Kapaweno First Nation, Swan River First Nation, an approximate population of 17,000 plus.
For the Smoky River Region residents, the HPDFB has collaborated with Smoky River Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) to be a satellite location so that residents may fill out applications as well as the ability to pick up their food hampers in either Mclennan or Falher, thus alleviating pressures on the High Prairie location for staffing and alleviating logistical pressures for the residents of the Smoky River Region.
Also local grocery stores allow drop of bins at their locations of non perishable food donations that are stored at the Satellite location in Mclennan graciously donated by a local organization.
Donations of money are received by either the McLennan FCSS office or the Falher FCSS office and checks are to be made payable to the Town of Falher to qualify for a tax receipt for donations of $20 or more. Just to clarify that all food and donations made in our community stay in our community.
Smoky River FCSS is now offering Community Kitchen program through High Prairie and District Food Bank. Four times a year Crystal Marschner will host a Community Kitchen in our communities that invite low income families or individuals to come in and participate in make four freezer meals and will also have a chance to learn more on eating healthy and nutritious meals on a budget. To learn more about our Community Kitchens please call us at our office at (780) 837-2220.
The HPDFB has done many different fund raisers throughout the years to keep the doors open. Most of the revenue is generated from fund-raising, grants, and donations. Operational costs are key to keeping the doors open at the HPDFB, without them there would be no option for the residents of the Smoky River Region to access this much needed program.
If you would like to make a donation to the HPDFB operational costs please feel free to contact either Kim Dumont at (780) 523-5777 or Lynn Florence at (780) 837-2220.