Page 61 - RADC Bulletin 2022

Volunteering at the Root Cellar (Medicine Hat Food Bank)
With the current world economic situation and the prolonged effects of the Covid
19 pandemic, we as human beings see ourselves living in a very volatile world with a myriad of uncertainties.
In modern day and age, food banks have become commonplace, very much needed now more than ever to bolster the nutritional needs of those individuals less fortunate to find themselves unable to feed themselves as well as their families. So, in addition
to enhancing their ability to acquire and distribute a steady supply of foods, Canadian food banks have also developed a series of programs that offer food banks the ability to provide educational and food-related skills training and support to those people in need.
Volunteering at the food bank was in part my effort to give back to society but also supporting an integration into the lived environment in Medicine Hat, Canada.
Although there are permanent staff at the Root Cellar many of the activities are supported by a wide range of volunteers. Volunteering can be in a lot of diverse ways for example repackaging food items into reasonable sizes, restocking the shelves or being a shopping assistant for the clients.
The Root Cellar in Medicine Hat was relocated to an old Fire Station in downtown Medicine Hat in 2021. Being in this new location meant the food bank could be
set up in a way that is user friendly for the clients resembling a shopfloor. This setup enables clients to do their shopping with ease aided by one of the volunteers and they can personally pick items from either the fridges or the shelves. The stock usually includes items ranging from fresh produce, generalised grocery items such as milk and eggs, and feminine hygiene products to name a few which are donated by various donors around the city. The relocation also meant the Root Cellar got an industrial
size kitchen which enables a lot of cooking classes to be conducted by the volunteers for the clients.
The Root Cellar has several programs that it runs such as the Brown Bag lunches for school children as well as other programs. One such program is Kitchen Creations whereby grants and resources are sourced through sponsorships from local businesses as well as the government thereby enabling the food bank to deliver beneficial cooking and nutritional programming to food bank recipients as a food-focused education and skills-building initiative.
Through this grant-based program, food bank recipients learn about:
• How to shop for groceries on a tight
budget •
• Nutrition/how to make healthy food
choices •
their futures
Work towards their education and/or employment goals
Access community resources and services
Increase their social connections and build a stronger support network
• labels •
• Food literacy, including how to read
• Kitchen skills, such as meal planning and preparation
A wide range of people benefit from participating in the Kitchen Creations program such as:
• Individuals living alone with limited meal preparation facilities
• Kids or teens that prepare their own snacks or meals
• First-time parents cooking for young families
In addition to valuable skills training, program participants also benefit from a sense of community by learning together, sharing meals, and exchanging advice.
McMan Community Services Programme
This is a Youth, Family and Community Services Association which was founded
in 1975 and is funded by the Alberta government .Since its creation the association has become more dynamic in its evolution and development.
The Youth Transition to Adulthood (YTA) program which is funded by the Alberta government provides individualized support to youth aged 15-22, who are involved with Children Services, prepare for independence.
The help includes:
•
•
Locating appropriate housing options based on their needs
Building their capacity and self-efficacy Make informed choices and plan for
A referral from Children’s Services is required to enrol in this program.
I volunteer for the McMan emancipated teenagers cooking classes which sees the teenagers who live in assisted housing progress into young adults who can cook food for themselves thereby instilling better food choices as well as encouraging them to have a balanced diet. The classes are held on a Friday afternoon on a fortnightly basis.
The teenagers get to pick the types of food they want to learn to cook. The plan is that in each session they cook a main meal and a dessert. They can eat a portion of the food they make, and they are permitted to take all left-over food back home with them.
For the teenagers still in school, the time spent in cooking class can be accrued to then be converted into credit which can be added to their educational scores.
Volunteering in whichever capacity that is required has been extremely rewarding. I have certainly enjoyed my time volunteering at the Root Cellar.
Today, food banks are needed now more than ever. So, in addition to enhancing their ability to acquire and distribute a steady supply of foods, we have also developed a series of programs that offer food banks the ability to provide educational and food- related skills training and supports to people in need.
RADC BULLETIN 2022 59