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By rdnewsNOW staff
Help restock shelves

Food Banks Alberta critically in need of donations

Aug 31, 2026 | 5:00 PM

Food Banks Alberta says their warehouse is critically low and is calling for corporate food donors and financial supporters to help restock the shelves.

The warehouse supplies 112 member food banks across the province and said they got to this point because they shipped product out to their members faster than donations came in to replace it after a busy summer.

“Food Banks Alberta has been supplying food banks across the province since 1998, and the level of need we are seeing now is unprecedented,” said Darryl Burry, Executive Director of Food Banks Alberta. “We have the warehouse space, the transportation network and 112 member food banks ready to move food into communities. What we are missing right now is the food itself. That can be fixed — but only if donations come in quickly.”

Last year, they distributed 3.36 million pounds of food province-wide, and in the first six months of 2026, they had already distributed almost 90 per cent of the volume in 2025.

The organization says the busiest months are still ahead. For example, in August, the volume sent out to member locations ran 32.8 per cent higher than in August 2025.

They explained that most of the food donations come from corporate donors, which Food Banks Alberta redistributes to its members based on need. Those donations have not kept pace with demand, and when donations decrease, the effect is felt in every community.

Food Banks Alberta’s most urgent need is to refill the provincial warehouse.

“Most of the people walking through our members’ doors are working people and families trying to make ends meet,” Burry said. “They are our neighbours, our co-workers and the children sitting beside our children at school. Nobody in this province should have to choose between rent and groceries.”

Food Banks Alberta said those hoping to help are asked to contact the association directly to discuss product donations, surplus inventory, short-dated product and ongoing partnerships.

Furthermore, those hoping to help address the provincial warehouse shortage can give directly to Food Banks Alberta at foodbanksalberta.ca/donate.

“If you are planning to give this year, please give now — and please give through your local food bank,” Burry added. “Local food banks are doing everything they can to be ready for the fall, but they cannot do it alone. A donation today helps put food directly into the hands of people in your own community when they need it most.”

by rdnewsNOW staff