Our Mission
The Bow Valley Food Bank has been established to provide emergency food assistance to people experiencing a financial crisis and who are unable to purchase food for themselves or their families. Such individuals must reside east of the Banff Park boundary up to and including Kananaskis and Seebe, No person, with the exception of minors, will be refused food assistance during regular hours of operation of the Food Bank. In addition, the Bow Valley Food Bank will distribute food and/or to local agencies in the Bow Valley community (in areas specified below) who help people in need. These agencies will be determined by the Bow Valley Food Bank's Board of Directors.
- Canmore, Exshaw, Seebe, Dead Man's Flats, Lac Des Arcs, Harvie Heights and Kananaskis
Philosophy:
The Bow Valley Food Bank is dedicated to;
Providing a supply of emergency food in crisis situations.
Creating and sustaining solutions to meet, with dignity and compassion, the nutritional needs of everyone.
Maintaining a client´s confidentiality.
Building partnerships with other community organizations dedicated to fighting hunger.
Raising the awareness of hunger everywhere.
The Bow Valley Food Bank provides information to help prepare the CAFB Hunger Count document.
History of BVFB
The Bow Valley Women´s Resource Centre started the Food Bank in 1991, with the assistance of women and children in mind. It was run out of the Policeman´s Creek Drop-In Centre (now the Seniors Centre). After a few years, the demand became too great and was beyond the mandate of BVWRC. In February 1994, the Food Bank was forced to close. An appeal was made to local churches to take over the running of the Food Bank, and a community-based organization was formed. In April 1994, the Town of Canmore provided a facility and the Food Bank was re-established.
Code of Ethics:
As a member of the Food Banks Canada, the Bow Valley Food Bank has agreed to abide by the Food Banks Canada Code of Ethics
Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, income source, age or mental or physical ability.
Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect.
Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food.
Respect the privacy of those served, and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information.
Not sell donated food.
Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs.
Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger, and of the factors that contribute to it.
Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger, and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance.
Represent accurately, honestly and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.
Food Safety Guidelines:
The Bow Valley Food Bank has adopted the Food Safety Guidelines as developed by Food Banks Alberta.
