City council voted to provide less money to the Airdrie Food Bank and spread more of its Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) budget to other programs, Dec. 20.
2011 Provincial funding for FCSS will decrease by $63,871 to $600,563.
The total amount requested by community programs was $884,157.
“This poses a new challenge for the City, one that has never been experienced before,” said Clay Aragon, FCSS coordinator.
“When the amount for allocation tightens, the City has to be more diligent in prioritizing its funding to community programs.”
The food bank received $30,000 in 2010. The organization initially requested $30,500 for 2011 but later reduced the request to $16,000.
The program will receive $10,000.
Lori McRitchie, executive director of the Airdrie Food Bank, said she is grateful for the money, but the decrease will have an affect on the organization.
“It was a hard decision for council to make,” she said.
“It will have an impact but we believe the community will continue to support us and we will continue to move forward.”
In the spring, the food bank will start a capital fundraising campaign to build a 3,000-square-foot warehouse extension onto its current building.
“If we can’t get the money through the Province or the municipal government, we will have to appeal to the community,” said McRitchie.
The money needed to bolster the volunteer program will be taken from others areas, she said.
“We are going to make the best of what we have,” said McRitchie. “We will meet the needs of the community with what we have been given.”
Mayor Peter Brown voted against the motion, saying there are steps that could have been taken to reduce costs.
“We need to look out for these agencies and find other ways,” said Brown. “I would like to see a collaboration with the volunteer programs to save some money.”
Alderman Kelly Hegg said the Community Services Board felt uncomfortable with the decision to give less funding to the food bank, but he said the organization is strongly supported by the community with donations and volunteers.
“Other municipalities also provide funding for these agencies that work beyond Airdrie’s borders,” he said.
Alderman Fred Burley said the problem is every one of the organizations deserve the money.
“I hate to cut anything,” he said.
North Rocky View Community Links Society will receive $329,630, The Boys and Girls Club will receive $105,233, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Calgary and Area will get $38,000, Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society will get $60,000, Airdrie Meals on Wheels will receive $13,700 and Volunteer Airdrie will receive $44,000.
