It
Takes a Village
Sometimes
it takes a village, and over the past year, we’ve seen just how true that
really is.
The
Ranchlands Food Pantry is supporting more families than ever before, including
a growing number of households with children. As the cost of living continues
to rise, we know more neighbours are feeling the strain.
In
April 2025, the Ranchlands Food Pantry distributed 17 hampers – this April,
that number rose to 26, with some weeks reaching as many as 8 or 9 hampers. The
need is growing, and behind every hamper is a family doing their best to get
by.
With
the school year coming to an end, we anticipate even greater demand. For many
families, the loss of school meal programs over the summer, combined with the
high cost of childcare, can make it harder to stay afloat.
We
are incredibly grateful for the support we receive—from Ranchlands residents,
as well as our partners Community Natural Foods, Paris Baguette, Shoppers Drug
Mart, MLA Hayter, and donation organizations like Food Rescue and Hungry
Harvest. Your generosity helps make this program possible.
At
times, however, we are still not able to meet the demand for every hamper,
every week. Dietary restrictions, both for religious and medical reasons, can
make it challenging to rely solely on donated items, and we often purchase
specific foods to ensure families with these needs are supported.
We’re
asking our community to come together to help meet this growing need. Our goal
is to increase monthly financial donations by $100 to provide more stability
and help us keep up with demand. Ongoing support, no matter the amount, allows
us to plan ahead and continue offering reliable assistance.
Non-perishable
food donations are always needed as well. Even a few extra items added to your
regular grocery trip can make a meaningful difference.
Thank
you for being part of the village and for continuing to support your
neighbours.
Click here to the Ranchlands Community News home page for the latest Ranchlands community updates.
