There is more than one food bank in the Battlefords, so it's important people know the difference between the two when they are making a decision about donations to help feed the hungry.
Downtown, at 1171 - 101st St., is the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre, which is a food bank, but its official name does not include the phrase "food bank."
The charity officially registered as the Battlefords Food Bank Inc. is actually operated under the Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre.
Donations can be made to either charity online, however donors should make sure they have the right site first.
The Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre became a non-profit corporation in 2001 and registered charity in June 2003. It has been operating a food bank in the community since December of 2003.
Its first location was 1092 - 102nd St., using donated space, and in August of 2006 the organization purchased the Old Fashioned Foods store located at 1171 - 101st St. From that location, food is distributed Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre also operates the Battlefords Empty Stocking Fund. It was originally started by radio station CJNB in the 1950s to solicit goods, services and monetary donations for the purpose of distributing food and gift hampers to needy families in the Battlefords during the Christmas season. Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre continues to carry on the tradition as a non-profit, registered charity devoted to the Christmas campaign and to operating a year-round community food bank.
The Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre at 960 - 103rd St. is the home of the Battlefords Food Bank, Inc, which was incorporated in 1999 to help meet and bridge food security issues for the community at large. It provides temporary and emergency food hampers and a soup and bannock program.
The Battlefords Indian Métis Centre has been operating since 1969.
