Status update: March 2023
We provide this midsemester update to share ongoing demand statistics so that our supporters can share our story. If you have any questions about this information, please get in touch.
In November 2022, we ended our hamper program and opened our grocery store. Clients still come every two weeks but can browse and make their own selections rather than receiving a pre-packaged hamper. We also extended our hours slightly, adding two hours of shopping time on Wednesdays.
Usage update
We served 1437 individuals during 896 grocery store visits in January 2023.
We served 1331 individuals during 840 grocery store visits in February 2023.
Individuals served in 2023 so far include 226 children under 17 years old.
In January 2023, we had more than 200 store visits in one week for the first time ever. This rate continued above 200 per week until Reading Week (Feb 20-26) when we dipped to 172 visits.
Since switching to the grocery store model in November 2022, our average per-family food weights have dropped from 23lbs per visit to 15lbs per visit. This tells us that the grocery model is a more efficient delivery system for supplementary groceries and people are only taking what they actually want.
Ongoing volunteer work
Our student volunteer committees have been working hard to support clients on a number of fronts:
The Equity & Capacity Building Committee successfully applied for grant funding to begin growing herbs and other seedlings indoors at the CFB, with the potential for outdoor growing in summer.
The Nutrition Committee built and launched a new nutrition guide mini site that holds ingredient lists, nutrition facts, and even recipe suggestions about products we carry.
The Events and PD Committee recently ran the CFB’s first tax filing workshop with more than 100 food bank clients in attendance.
Thank you to all the amazing volunteers who ensure that we are being creative and responsive to the needs of our clients!
Looking ahead
Fresh Food Fund
We successfully raised $20,000 during our Fresh Food February fundraiser, to ensure we continue to provide fresh, nutritious produce and meat during the last few months of winter in amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton). The Fresh Food Fund is now always listed on our donation form as a specific fund where donors can direct their support.
CFB Snack Station expansion
Thanks to a generous contribution from AASUA in 2022, we are expanding our network of new CFB Snack Stations across campus for students to easily access between classes or while studying. This expansion has primarily been in partnership with the faculty-level student service centres.
Spring Client Survey
We will be deploying our second annual client survey in May 2023 and in spring annually going forward. The 2022 client survey report is here.
Spring/Summer programming adjustments
Typically the CFB ceases some programs between May and August, including our grocery bus service, cooking workshops, and free breakfast on Wednesdays. We are currently assessing how the high need in 2023 will influcence our summer programming decisions. If you have input or suggestions, please get in touch.
Updated volunteer training
Our new grocery store allows much more casual interaction between clients and volunteers, which opens up potent opportunities for information-sharing and referrals. We are expanding volunteer training this summer to include resources for financial aid, mental health supports, and other supplementary social services.
What can the UofA community do to help?
Make a donation directly on our website or by bringing items to our office.
Volunteer recruitment for Spring/Summer 2023 semester will open next week on our website!
Thank you everyone for your support of the Campus Food Bank!
Warmth and solidarity,
The Campus Food Bank team
Bukky, Caitlin, Erin, and Madi
