An Edmonton food bank tasked with serving veterans in need is having difficulty meeting an increasing demand.
The Edmonton location of the Veterans Association Food Bank opened in 2020, following the success seen at its Calgary location.
Two additional locations have since opened in Lethbridge and Grande Prairie.
However, rising inflation has made meeting growing demand an ever burgeoning task.
Bob Cotton, the operations manager for the Edmonton location, said the chapter is already struggling to fill up its current load of 160 bins that are set to go out in November.
“We are in such desperate, desperate need of food so that we can help the families of veterans and veterans themselves to put some food on the table,” Cotton told CBC News.
Pride can be a big hurdle for those seeking help, said Cotton, a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces himself. Fortunately, the organization is comprised of veterans and their family members. They volunteer their time and strive to offer a special connection to those being helped.
“If I was in the lineup at a regular food bank and I had a family of two or three behind me, I’d move,” said Cotton.
“Too much pride. We served our countries, and to be able to get the kind of help that we need, we need this space.”
The number of veterans needing their help has quadrupled since 2020.
“I would say right from 2020, we started off with only 40 clients, and now we’re at 160. And it’s every day—almost every day—we have new veterans coming in, walking through the door,” said Cotton.
Chelle Murray has been volunteering with the organization for years, delivering bins throughout Edmonton and she knows just how appreciated their work is.
“Some of them get emotional. It’s really hard for them to put their own service feelings aside and to maybe be in a position where they have to ask for help,” said Murray. “And I’m sure that’s a feeling that is shared by a lot of people who have to use this service. But the service is for them, and there is no shame in ever asking for that.”
The organization also offers referrals for medical support and mental health assistance.
Additionally, Veterans Association Food Bank helps its clients with veterans affairs claims as well as disability tax forms.
“We interact the same as we did when we were in the military,” said Cotton. “It’s very comforting for us that we haven’t lost that camaraderie.”
Murray said the bank is much more than just a place to get food.
“There’s so many resources here besides food, and it’s great,” said Murray. “This is my extended family.”
It’s not just the veterans food banks that are suffering: food banks across the country are seeing a dip in donations and a spike in demand since the pandemic.
The Veterans Food Bank Edmonton is located at 18504 111th Avenue and is currently accepting donations.
