Multiple food banks in Bonnyville and Cold Lake have received funding from the Alberta government’s $20 million announced to help food banks and related food security organizations.
To date, $10 million of that funding has been distributed to 210 organizations that help put food on the tables of Albertans. In November 2022 the government announced three grant streams to support Albertans struggling to put food on their tables.
The Food Bank Grant has given 109 established food banks funding including $15,000 to the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre, $60,000 to the Cold Lake Food Bank Society, and $15,000 to St Paul and District Food Bank among others in the Lakeland.
The second grant stream, the Food Security Grant, gave 76 organizations funding including the City of Cold Lake with $ 12,175, and $ 50,000 to the Cold Lake John Howard Society.
Finally, the Donation Matching Grants has provided 113 organizations funding including the Bonnyville Canadian Native Friendship Centre with $28,989, the Cold Lake Food Bank Society with $49,989, the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre Association with $ 29,579, and St Paul and District Food Bank with $ 14,359.
Arianna Scott, CEO, Food Banks Alberta says all the food banks are very thankful for the funding.
“Food Banks Alberta and organizations across the province are grateful for the support from Alberta’s government. We are encouraged by their actions to address food insecurity and the issues Albertans are facing today.”