'Feeling a need': Alberta ranch community initiative aims to bolster rural food banks
In response to the demand faced by rural food banks, a grassroots non-profit initiative has emerged to bridge the gap between farming families and those in need within their community.
The Foothills Farm Table Collective is the brainchild of former rancher Jay Cross and Bluerock Gallery co-owner Shelly Faulkner.
“We were feeling a need in the community and tapping into the generosity of the farmers and ranchers in the foothills region, we just realized that people really love the idea,” said Cross.
“To be part of a collective, where people do good things for friends and neighbours, we need more of that in the world.”
The collective's inaugural donation came from Brenda Otto of Tangle Ridge Ranch west of Okotoks. Tangle Ridge contributed 600 pounds (272 kilograms) of frozen, locally produced beef.
“I love giving back, my whole family does. We get very heartbroken when we imagine small children and elderly people and people unable to work, without fresh meat,” said Otto.
“Non-perishable items, sadly, aren't all that nutritious sometimes. We just thought fresh protein would be a fantastic thing to add to people’s diets.”
The Okotoks Food Bank says the donation comes at a key time. The agency services close to 400 families each week and acts as a hub for other food banks as far south as Claresholm.
Executive director Bente Yanota says just like food banks in larger cities, she is seeing increased demand.
“My shelves are starting to look a little bit bare compared to previous years because the demand is so high,” said Yanota.
“(The collective’s) donations are so beneficial, so 45 per cent of our hamper (we) would like to give as fresh items, healthy items, dairy and meat.”
The news of the collective's mission spread on social media, attracting the attention of other ranchers.
"I do know that a couple of our friends saw it on social media and they want to join in. They're kind-hearted people,” said Otto.
Cross says the collective displays the power of community action.
“The next donation is going to be some frozen chickens from a local producer, (we have) pork and lamb lined up and some other beef producers that I'm talking to,” Cross said.
“The idea just seems to tap into that spirit of wanting to support people in the community.”
Presently, donors receive a tax receipt from the food bank.
The collective has applied for charitable status, which would allow it to give its tax receipts and accept cash donations, which Cross says it would use to offset the cost of transportation which it’s paying out of pocket right now.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.