Giving to those who need it most

Times Contributor

 

The Wheatland County Food Bank is giving back again this holiday season. Having been in operation for over 20 years, and donating around 500 food hampers each year, the WCFB anticipates another successful year. The pickups of the collected, non-perishable food were made on Dec 13-14 at many of the schools and small businesses throughout Strathmore.

“Strathmore is a very generous community, whether or not they don’t know their names, they will donate food or money so we can go out and buy some of items that we need,” said volunteer of over five years, Alan Urichuk.

Over the years, Urichuk says that the system he and volunteers Bob Telford and Brian Allemang have working together runs quite smoothly.

“The timing for pickups works perfectly if we do it about every hour, like with Bob, Brian and myself, we just get in there, unload and go to the next school, and do the same thing.  We are pretty quick for older fellas,” said Urichuk. 

The collection aspect is only the beginning of the hamper process. The collected food is then carefully counted and organized into hampers, taking into account the number of members in each family. The hampers are then numbered and designated to a particular family in need. 

“People forget they can still phone in, and even at the last minute, people can donate money, or apply to receive a hamper. We aren’t going to deny anybody, and some people don’t even come to pick up their hamper, so we always try to notify them in case they don’t show up,” said Urichuk.

No food is left to waste. Leftover food is either sent back to the WCFB or is donated to the Mustard Seed organization. Generally, the food can be dispersed throughout Strathmore and surrounding communities. 

The years of volunteering have been very rewarding, according to Urichuk, and he says it’s a nice thing to give, rather than always receiving during Christmas. 

“I didn’t really know what I was getting into, and once I got into it, I started realizing, this is a good deal to do at Christmas. Most of the time, families are too busy with their own inner circles, they don’t think about other people who might need assistance. For me it’s been fun, serious but fun,” said Urichuk.

More information about donating to the WCFB or to apply for a hamper can be found by calling 403-934-5335.