As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the Alberta economy, the Town of Crossfield is extending its emergency food hamper program until March 31.
Crossfield’s emergency hamper program was launched in April 2020, after the Town received a $43,000 grant from the Alberta government’s Emergency Social Services Fund to provide residents access to additional COVID-19 relief measures.
The program was set to expire at the end of 2020. However, according to the Town’s recreation and events coordinator, Eris Latham, there were still funds left over at the end of the year, and the Town was able to apply for a program extension until the end of March.
“We saw there was a very high demand for hampers, especially this past fall,” Latham said. “We still had the funds left over and really didn’t want to give grant money back.
“[The government has] granted quite a few programs, actually, to run it until the end of March because I do think they’re aware of the food security issues happening right now.”
Latham said for many local families, tough financial situations have not changed since the beginning of the pandemic. She said 129 hampers had been distributed to Crossfield residents, as of Feb. 4.
“I don’t think anyone expected for this to go on for as long [as it has],” she said. “We just delivered a hamper to someone who has been without work for just under a full year now, so the need is very much there and we’re very glad we’ll be able to provide the service until the end of March.”
The hampers come with a combination of perishable and non-perishable foods, as well as hygiene items. They do not just help feed local families, Latham said, but also support the local economy. While most of the hampers’ non-perishable foods come from the Real Canadian Superstore in Airdrie, she said perishables are sourced from Crossfield’s local grocer – Carmen’s Bigway Foods.
According to Latham, local schools have also contributed to the success of the hamper program by donating funds they would typically allocate to a subsidized breakfast program for students.
“We were still able to feed students, even when they were in lockdown at home,” she said.
The Town's program is one of two local hamper initiatives that have supported Crossfield residents throughout the pandemic. The Crossfield Fire Department also ran its annual Christmas hamper program, and Latham said residents in need of extra support have been able to benefit from both.
“The fire department hampers this year were strictly gift cards, but anyone who called to request a gift card food hamper, we [let them know] about this program,” she said.
Latham said she hopes residents who are in need of some extra support will consider applying for the Town’s emergency hamper program. To register to receive a hamper, she said families can email [email protected] or call 403-941-2000.
“It’s a very discrete program and if you want, we can make arrangements for special diets if need be,” she said. “We know people work during the day and if a pick-up needs to happen after hours, we can absolutely do that. We just want to make sure everyone has a full belly.”
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
