New equipment expands capacity for Food Centre

In the midst of a growing need for perishable foods, the Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre has added two new large deep freezers and two new large stand-up coolers.

The equipment will allow the centre to store and carry more perishable items at its location, while giving those in need a greater variety of quality foods that they can receive.

Acquisition of the new equipment was made possible through the 2022 Capacity Boost Grant from Food Banks Canada, with the food centre receiving $16,800.

The centre was also able to purchase additional equipment needed for the vegetable garden that it tends with the grant money.

The Capacity Boost Grant is meant to help food banks expand its capacity to accept, distribute, grow or safely handle and store perishable and non-perishable items .

“Our board members and volunteers who helped with this worked very hard to make it all come together,” says Alice Wagenaar, a board member and volunteer for the food centre.

“This is all certainly going to make our operation a whole lot better and we’ll be able to provide better-quality food as a result of it.”

Moving forward, the food centre will be able to provide more fresh and frozen food to those within the community suffering from food insecurity and better meet their needs.

In particular, the new storage capacity for frozen foods will allow volunteers to include a greater variety of food items in their food hampers.

“It’s really nice to see the organization moving forward, expanding its capacity and just becoming a solid organization in this community,” says Alice.

The food hamper program runs throughout the year, providing those reaching out in need of food with a hamper once every two weeks.

Now that the food centre possesses the means to store large quantities of frozen and perishable foods, it is looking to run a Fill the Freezer campaign later in the month

The centre will seek to fill the freezers with meat and frozen vegetables from anyone who is in a position to donate food and help the centre provide quality foods.

“Unfortunately, this is a time when food prices are so high, and we’ve certainly had an increased demand,” says Alice.

“We have such a generous community, so we’re hoping if anyone has meat or vegetables to spare, they think about us.”

Keep an eye out on the food centre’s Facebook page for more information on the upcoming campaign and how you can help.

Those interested in volunteering at the food centre, in need of a food hamper, or with general questions about the food centre can call or text 403-632-6716 or email foodcentrepc@gmail.ca.