The Red Deer Food Bank is asking residents, businesses and community groups to step up this month as it leads local efforts to spotlight food insecurity during Hunger Action Month.
Community urged to act across September
Throughout September the food bank will promote a sequence of weekly themes designed to increase understanding of who uses the service, how food access affects children, and practical ways people and organisations can provide help. The campaign includes appeals for financial gifts, food donations, volunteer time and the organisation of food drives.
“Every action matters, when our community comes together, those individual actions can make a significant difference for people who are struggling to afford enough food.”
That message, issued in a media release, underscores the agency’s effort to move beyond awareness to concrete support and coordination with partner organisations across Central Alberta.
Demand remains substantial
The food bank’s published figures show a heavy and ongoing need in the region. In 2025, the organisation assisted more than 30,500 people, with children representing about 40 per cent of those served. Over the same period the food bank recorded roughly 44,000 pantry visits and distributed approximately 1.6 million pounds of food.
| Metric | 2025 Total |
|---|---|
| People helped | 30,500+ |
| Children (share) | ~40% |
| Pantry visits | ~44,000 |
| Food distributed | ~1.6 million lbs |
Weekly themes and ways to help
The food bank has organised the month into four weekly focuses to guide outreach and volunteer efforts:
- Week 1 — Who uses the food bank and why demand is growing;
- Week 2 — How food access affects children’s learning, growth and school participation;
- Week 3 — Practical ways to support: donate, volunteer, run a drive or raise awareness;
- Week 4 — How the food bank coordinates with partner agencies and regional networks.
Community members are encouraged to consider several options for contributing: make a financial donation, drop off food items, sign up to volunteer, start a collection or amplify information about food insecurity across Central Alberta. The release stresses that no single solution will end hunger and that a variety of contributions are needed.
Practical impact and local consequences
For Red Deer and surrounding communities the food bank’s numbers are a reminder of persistent economic pressure on families. High usage rates and the share of children among clients point to ongoing strains on household budgets and the need for coordinated local responses that include schools, employers and social services.
Businesses and community organisations can play a major role. Structured food drives and employee giving programs not only increase supplies but can help stabilise operations for families between paycheques. Volunteers and partner agencies expand the food bank’s reach, enabling it to respond to spikes in demand.
For details on how to get involved or to register a donation or volunteer effort, visit the Red Deer Food Bank website at www.reddeerfoodbank.com.
The campaign rests on the principle that collective small actions — whether a sack of groceries, an hour of time or a financial gift — add up. For many households in Central Alberta, those sums are the difference between a full cupboard and missed meals.
