EDMONTON, Alta. — One of the most exciting parts of the holiday season is gathering for a big meal. Yet, as the festivities come to a close and the dishes are washed and dried, one Edmonton charity continues to think about putting food on the table, all year round.
“When the lights go down and the Christmas decorations get put away, our doors remain open,” emphasized Tamasin Bencz-Knight, manager of strategic relationships and partnerships with the Edmonton Food Bank.
“We have a continuous flow,” she added. “We have to keep our doors open and continue feeding people.”
The Edmonton Food Bank is a non-government-funded charity organization that began in Edmonton in 1981. It’s been carefully crafted with the desire to improve the lives of those in need and those who grapple with food insecurity.
Monthly, the Edmonton Food Bank feeds around 34,000 Edmonton residents — a number that steadily continues to grow. Although the organization sees a surge in donations throughout the holiday season, the rest of the year is just as significant.
“There’s a large amount of need,” Bencz-Knight said. “It’s a large volume monthly, regardless. It’s not a huge change, but we’re struggling with our consistency [in donations] because it is such a large volume.”
The generosity-infused work relies on volunteers and contributions — whether from businesses or individuals — they rely on the kindness found within the City of Edmonton.
“We have to continuously buy and bring in food and to do that, we need the support of the community,” Bencz-Knight said. “We’re really community-based here in Edmonton, but it’s also individuals and businesses within Edmonton that donate to us.”
“It’s everybody doing what they can that helps us do our work. It’s because of that generosity that we’re able to keep our doors open.”
Bencz-Knight used the phrase: “Food touches all of us, ” which couldn’t be more accurate. It reflects a sense of belonging, and for those who may not be able to pay for food on their own, the Edmonton Food Bank ensures that through the culture of giving, they’re still a part of our community.
Gina Schnepper, a university student, shared her experience as a volunteer and a recipient of the food bank’s services.
“I’ve been involved with the [Edmonton] Food Bank for a couple of years in a couple different ways,” she said. “I’ve volunteered, but I’ve also used the food bank.”
However, for Schnepper, whether it was giving or receiving, the impact it imprinted on her was mutual.
“I fell in love with volunteering there because the reaction you get from people is so immediate. These gifts are so seemingly small, but they make such an impact in the course of people’s lives,” Schenepper said. “Whatever I did, I knew that it was going to be appreciated.”
Schnepper elaborated on her fulfilling experience with volunteering but emphasized the time in her life when she had turned to using its services, herself. She expressed that the kindness was endless, and how the experience impacted her life most profoundly.
“These people were so incredibly kind to a girl who was just overwhelmed with emotions. It can be a very demoralizing experience to be reduced to that amount, but the kindness of the people working at the food bank was truly amazing.”
Emmet Carroll, another volunteer at the Edmonton Food Bank who once availed its services, echoed Schnepper’s sentiments.
“It was really encouraging,” Carroll said. “The way you’re treated as someone who has to use the food bank makes you want to come back and help others.”
As for Bencz-Knight, she is truly thankful for everything and everyone who lends a hand to their organization, but also to any other Edmonton charity.
“I am so grateful and humbled by the generosity of Edmontonians that continuously give,” she said. “Not just to us, but that help create a kinder community. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped support Edmonton’s Food Bank.”
Despite the generous donations that the food bank receives, there is still a consistent need so they continue to be the gift that continues to give all year round.
“At the end of the day we are all one, we are neighbours,” Schnepper said. “We are a community and it really falls on our shoulders to help each other.”