Food drives are often associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas. During these seasons, communities come together, donation bins fill up, and food banks receive much-needed public attention.

But hunger does not follow a holiday calendar.

People need nutritious food every day. With the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and transportation, more Albertans are finding it difficult to make ends meet—even when they are working. Food Banks Alberta reminds us that food insecurity can affect anyone, including people who never imagined they would need to ask for help.

In March 2025 alone, 132,402 Albertans accessed food through a food bank, and approximately 36 per cent of Alberta food bank users were children. Food Banks Alberta currently supports a network of 112 member food banks serving cities, towns, rural communities, and remote areas across the province.

These numbers point to a need that extends well beyond the holiday season.

More Than a Seasonal Food Drive

Elks lodges have always responded when their communities need help. Our strength comes from knowing our communities, bringing people together, and turning concern into action.

A holiday food drive is valuable, but it can be the beginning—not the end—of our support.

Every food bank has different needs. Some may need volunteers to sort donations or prepare food hampers. Others may need help with transportation, storage, refrigeration, personal-care products, or operating expenses. Food Banks Alberta encourages groups to contact their local food bank directly and ask what is needed most.

Practical Ways Elks Lodges Can Help

Build a year-round relationship.
Invite someone from your local food bank to attend a lodge meeting. Ask about current pressures, seasonal shortages, volunteer needs, and how the lodge can be most useful.

Choose a monthly item.
Instead of holding one large annual drive, collect one priority item each month. The local food bank can help identify what is most needed, which may include food, toiletries, diapers, household supplies, or other essentials.

Make volunteering a lodge activity.
Members can sort food, assemble hampers, help at events, work in community gardens, or provide administrative support. Food Banks Alberta says volunteers are needed throughout the year, and opportunities are available for different ages, abilities, and time commitments.

Offer the skills already in the lodge.
Elks members bring experience in governance, bookkeeping, fundraising, communications, event planning, maintenance, and community outreach. Ask whether your food bank could benefit from those skills.

Support the cost of delivering food.
Food banks need more than donated groceries. Financial contributions can help keep freezers running, heat warehouses, fuel delivery vehicles, purchase food in bulk, and move supplies into rural and remote communities.

Turn bottles into ongoing support.
A lodge could establish a continuing bottle-donation program or dedicate the proceeds from selected bottle drives to food-bank support. Food Banks Alberta also identifies SkipTheDepot as one way supporters can donate bottle refunds.

Grow and share fresh food.
A lodge garden, community garden partnership, or “grow an extra row” project can provide fresh produce. Before planting, speak with the food bank about what it can safely accept, store, and distribute.

Use our community voice.
Food insecurity is often hidden. Lodges can share accurate information, highlight local needs, invite community partners into the conversation, and advocate for long-term solutions. Awareness helps replace judgment with understanding and reminds people that needing support is nothing to be ashamed of.

Start With One Conversation

Year-round support does not have to mean taking on a large new project. It can begin with one phone call:

“What do you need—not only during the holidays, but throughout the year—and how can our lodge help?”

From there, each lodge can choose one realistic commitment: a monthly collection, a quarterly volunteer shift, a recurring contribution, transportation assistance, or a shared community project.

Food insecurity is not only about food. It is about dignity, stability, health, and the ability of individuals and families to participate fully in their communities.

As Elks, we are People Helping People. By moving beyond seasonal giving and becoming consistent community partners, we can help ensure our neighbours receive support not only when giving is top of mind, but whenever it is needed.

To find a member food bank near you or learn more about volunteering, donating, and advocacy, visit Food Banks Alberta.