The Airdrie Food Bank is celebrating 25 years in the community and is inviting everyone in the city to its birthday celebration.
On June 7 from 5 to 8 p.m., the public is invited to enjoy a tour of the facility, refreshments and a meet-and-greet with staff and volunteers.
“This is our way of giving back to the community who gives so much to us,” said Airdrie Food Bank executive director Lori McRitchie.
“Whether you have dropped a can in a bin at the grocery store, put money in a jar at the gas station or participated in a food drive, we want you to see what your contributions are being used for.”
McRitchie said the event is also a way to celebrate 25 years of working together.
“It is not about what we do, but what the community does for each other. The food bank belongs to the community and we just initiate what the community does for each other in times of need.”
The food bank was incorporated in March of 1985. The current building is about 2,200 square feet and there are five employees and more than 120 volunteers.
The food bank provides emergency food for individuals and families in need. In 2009, it provided 1,104 hampers to 1,760 adults and 1,402 children. The bread and extras program that provides “take what you need” services, helped 1,500 families and the Snack Attack program provided 3,055 nutritious snacks to students in 14 Airdrie and area schools in 2009. The food bank also supplied 5,000 breakfasts to students in R.J. Hawkey Elementary School last year.
“We ensure that no child goes hungry,” said McRitchie.
She will also ensure no one at the open house goes hungry.
“We can’t have an event at the food bank without sharing food, so we hope you will come out and bring the kids and enjoy yourselves,” she said.
“We are not asking for anything. This is just our way of saying thank you and sharing what we do.”
The Airdrie Food Bank is located at 20 East Lake Way.
