The Government of Alberta announced on April 13 that is has provided $9.1 million to support local food banks, including grant funding to community food banks in the Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin constituency.
A total of $20 million in funding over two years for food banks and food security-related organizations was promised back in November, 2022.
“This funding was made available in response to the increased pressure and demand as a result of today’s inflationary crisis,” stated the release.
Total funding province-wide was provided through three grant streams: Food Bank Grant ($2.8 million), Food Security Grant ($2.9 million) and Donation Matching Grant ($3.4 million).
The Food Bank Grant offers funding to all registered food banks in Alberta, the Food Security Grant, allows unregistered food banks and related food security organizations to apply for funding, and the Donation Matching Grant enables Alberta’s government to match donations made to food banks and related organizations throughout December 2022.
In total, 210 organizations received funding through the three grant streams.
“Our government is proud to be the first in recent history to provide support to food banks and other food security organizations,” said Jeremy Nixon, minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, in the release.
“Nobody should ever need to wonder where their next meal will come from, which is why we are proud to be supporting hundreds of organizations across the province.”
In Maskwacis-Wetaskiwin, the following organizations received funding:
- Ermineskin Food Bank ($8,700, Donation Matching Grant and $50,000, Food Security Grant);
- Millet Community Food Bank Association ($5,205, Donation matching Grant and $8,000 Food Bank Grant);
- The Salvation Army Wetaskiwin ($40,000, Food Bank Grant), and
- Samson Cree Nation Food Bank Society ($15,000, Food Bank Grant).
“I am proud to be part of a government that is stepping up financially to address the rising food bank use in Alberta,” said Rick Wilson, MLA, Mackwacis-Wetaskiwin.
“Food insecurity continues to be an issue in my constituency so I am grateful that we are receiving significant funds for several of our wonderful food banks. This means that they will be in a much better position to provide safe, healthy and culturally appropriate food directly to families and individuals who need it.”