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Gleanings
Winter 2014
Message from the Director of Operations
Contact Information
Executive Director:
Marjorie Bencz, CM
Director of Operations:
Mark Doram
Warehouse:
11508 - 120 Street
Edmonton, AB T5G 2Y2
Mailing Address:
PO Box 62061
Edmonton, AB T5M 4B5
Phone:
780.425.2133
Fax:
780.426.1590
@yegfoodbank
Edmonton's Food Bank
www.edmontonsfoodbank.com
Dear Friends,
This is usually where you expect to find news from our Executive Director, Marjorie
Bencz. However, being a person too humble to sing her own praises, I have stepped
in to share a milestone for our organization. On October 10, 2014, Marjorie Bencz
celebrated her 25th Anniversary as Executive Director of Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Our Executive Director has worked in all facets of the Food Bank from client
services, hamper making to driving a truck picking up public donations. Staff often
remark that “trying to keep up with Marjorie is like running a 400 metre dash.” We
are very fortunate that Marjorie is one of those Executive Directors who will roll up
her sleeves and work alongside staff and volunteers to get the job done. She knows
what it’s like to work a long shift at an event in -20 or +30 degree weather.
After 25 years, Marjorie hasn’t lost her compassion for those we serve. Just a couple
of Christmas Eves ago Marjorie was one of the last people to leave the
Food Bank. Just as she was about to drive away, in the distance she could see a couple
coming down the street. Her feeling was that this couple was making their way to
the Food Bank; she quickly parked her car and waited. Sure enough they had been
walking for some time and required food resources. Marjorie opened up the Food
Bank and served this couple while her family waited at home to start their Christmas
Eve Celebration. This is just one of hundreds of examples of Marjorie’s compassion.
With this type of leadership, many of the staff use Marjorie as a benchmark on how
we deal with our clients and stressful situations.
Mayor Don Iveson proclaimed October 10, 2014 “Marjorie Bencz Day,” so well
deserved and on behalf of all the citizens of Edmonton, thank you for your
tireless efforts in making Edmonton a caring and better place to live. Beyond the
fundamental, Marjorie’s work has benefited us all. She has found creative ways to
engage us. She has connected unexpected partners throughout the community. She
has inspired us to do whatever we can to help others. Oh behalf of so many, for
every day of those 25 years, again, thank you, Marjorie.
Now as we turn the page in the Food Bank History Book, we see a new facility on
the horizon. Warehouse 2 Food Hub will offer educational services to those who are
experiencing food insecurity. The future is exciting and will offer another facet to our
work in helping those in need.
To our dear supporters, thank you for your help and we wish you the best of the
festive season!
This holiday season, more than
ever, we think about our friends and
supporters with deepest gratitude.
Mark Doram
Director of Operations
On behalf of the Board, Staff and
Volunteers of Edmonton’s Food
Bank, we wish you peace, health and
happiness for the holidays and in
2015.
Festive Hampers
As the holiday season approaches, our minds go to those less fortunate. To assist
with understanding the needs of families, at this time of year, we have posted a
selection of Festive Hampers that can be sponsored or built and delivered to our
warehouse to be given to clients.
We are pleased to be able to offer donors the option of donating securely online
through CanadaHelps for either a one time ‘Festive Hamper’
or a monthly donation to support our work year round.
Please visit our website at www.edmontonsfoodbank.com
and click on
The Deliberate Mom, shares her story:
“I remember moving from cupboard to cupboard and feeling completely
overwhelmed by the disparity. There was nothing to eat. To make matters worse,
we had no money. Nothing. Not a penny until our pay cheques, which were over a
week and a half away. I knew I could eat one free meal at the donut shop every day
but I had no idea what we were going to eat for our other meals. That was when I
realized it. We needed to go to the food bank…”
To read the full amazing tale of why we do our work, please visit our website at
www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/stories
Gleanings
Winter 2014
Can Man Dan
You may have heard of Can Man Dan either
organizing events to benefit Edmonton’s
Food Bank or running for city council.
Dan organizes a few events each year to
help the Food Bank. Some include other
partners and some are all a one-man
show. Remarkably this young man, from a
single parent client home, raises significant
amounts of food and money at his annual
campouts. Picture someone spending an
entire weekend, 24 hours each day, outside in the dead of
winter collecting food and monetary donations. When he
does lie down to rest, it is in the back of the truck. He’s a
hunger hero! Visit Dan at his campouts December 4 to 7
at Southgate Centre’s Safeway Store (5015-111 Street) and
December 22 to 24 at Southbrook Sobeys store
(1109 James Mowatt Trail).
Loblaws Extra Helping Food Drive
December 4 to December 24
All Real Canadian Superstores, Real Canadian Wholesale Clubs
and No Frills stores will be collecting non-perishable food. As
well, cashiers will be accepting monetary donations to help our
work.
Huron Carole - A Musical
December 6 at the Jubilee Auditorium
Tom Jackson, along with fellow award-winning
Canadian artists Beverley Mahood, Shannon
Gaye, Don Amero, and Carly and Britt McKillip
of One More Girl, aims to put Canada’s food
banks in the spotlight. Tickets are $55 each and on sale now at
ticketmaster.ca
Organizing your own event
You don’t have to go to the extremes that Can Man Dan
does but we would be happy to support your event. We can
help with guest speakers, food donation boxes and monetary
donation bins, cross promotion on electronic platforms, or
if needed, food pick-ups. Please contact our Special Events
Team at 780.425.2133 and we can work together.
Join us for our upcoming events!
Kinnikinnick Foods
Gluten Free Hamper Drive
November 1 to December 20
Christmas BOW
December 7 (2:00pm to 12:00am)
Head to Blues on Whyte (10329-82 Avenue) for
an incredible line-up of blues musicians. There
will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 draw
to support the work of Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Volunteers will also be accepting food and monetary donations.
CP Holiday Train
December 9 at 7:45pm
Kinnikinnick Foods will partner with the
Edmonton Food Bank to help those in need for gluten free
hampers during the Holiday season. When customers purchase
a gluten free food hamper at the Kinnikinnick Fresh Retail Store
(10940-120 Street), Kinnikinnick Foods will match the donation
pound for pound.
South of CP Station, 7935 Gateway Blvd (just
north of the Strathcona Arch), The Holiday
Train will be stopping in Edmonton this year!
The Holiday Train will offer a free concert and
seasonal festivities from a boxcar that’s been
turned into a travelling stage. The concert is free, but attendees
are encouraged to make a donation to Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Toonies for Turkeys
Mayfield Dinner Theatre
November 11 to February 1, 2015
CBC Turkey Drive
December 10 to December 19
Donations will be collected throughout the
run of Top of the Pops: A British Rock Invasion for
the annual “Toonies for Turkeys” campaign. To
purchase your tickets, please visit:
mayfieldtheatre.ca
ETS Stuff A Bus
November 29 (Blitz Day)
Let’s make history during the 20th annual
ETS Stuff a Bus campaign in support of
Edmonton’s Food Bank. Look for ETS
buses and volunteers at all Save-On-Foods
locations and donate non-perishable food or money to help
feed our community. Visit takeETS.com/StuffaBus
for additional details.
A Christmas Carol
November 29 to December 23
Edmonton’s favourite holiday tradition
continues to delight audiences young and
old. Now in the 15th consecutive year of
performance this unforgettable story, rich
characters, and dazzling special effects, is
exceptional entertainment for the whole family. Once again,
cast members will be taking donations after each performance
to support Edmonton’s Food Bank. For tickets, please visit:
citadeltheatre.com
Monetary donations and frozen turkeys will
be accepted at CBC Edmonton located in
City Centre Mall (10062-102 Avenue) and
Edmonton’s Food Bank warehouse at 11508-120 street (Monday
to Saturday between 8:30am & 4:30pm). The goal for the 2014
CBC Turkey Drive is to raise $500,000.
BT Christmas Tree Show and Sale
December 12 (5:30am to 9:30am)
Need a Christmas Tree? Join us between
5:30am to 9:30am on December 12 at Churchill Square and
receive a beautiful, fresh tree for a donation of $10 or more.
Thank you to Home Depot for supplying the trees. Come
early, while supplies last.
Candy Cane Lane
December 13 to December 31
Nightly between 6pm and 10pm
Candy Cane Lane is located at 148 Street
between 100 Avenue to 92 Avenue. A wonderful
way to spend an evening is to bundle up and
stroll down the lane to see the incredible light displays. Nonperishable food donations may be left along the lane in one of
the many green food bins.
Gleanings is published three times a year by Edmonton's Food Bank