Photo credit: Helping Hands of Grande Prairie/Facebook.

By Curtis Galbraith

Community

New food security idea from Helping Hands Society seeing a lot of use

Jul 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM

There have been 257 families and individuals use a new food security idea from Grande Prairie’s Helping Hands Society since it opened during the second week of May.

The Helping Hands Pantry uses a shopping model where people pick out their own groceries rather than getting a hamper.

Helping Hands Development Coordinator Erika Gilroy says so far, the idea has gone over well.

“A lot of the feedback that we are getting from folks is that they are so excited to be able to shop for their own food, to be able to pick what they want to eat, to be able to pick what their kids are going to eat.”

“That’s not always the opportunity that people have.”

Gilroy says the group of 257 individuals and families included 92 children, seven people with disabilities, and three seniors.

“We are very happy with the turnout so far, but we want to look at improving our numbers to be able to accept more people to come in and do their shopping.”

Gilroy says people can get milk and other dairy products along with seasonal fruits and vegetables because the pantry has refrigeration.

She adds they have noticed by using this shopping idea, people don’t take as much food.

“Most folks come in and they think that they don’t need to be taking as much as we are offering to people, but the reality is that if somebody has three, four, five people in their family, plus kids, they’re going to need a lot more food, especially over summer.”

“What we’re seeing is an increase in parents who are needing school snacks and extra food in the home for their kids over the summer.”

Gilroy says a lot of people had tears in their eyes because they got to pick out the food they wanted for themselves and their families.

She adds this is the only organization in Grande Prairie supported by Food Banks Alberta and is where they get a lot of donations.

The pantry is located in the former Northreach Society location on the corner 98 Street and 97 Avenue.

Gilroy says they will take donations of canned or bagged foods, and things like diapers and formula for babies.

Anyone who wants to make a donation can check the Helping Hands of Grande Prairie social media page or contact helpinghands@northreach.ca.