Between handling an influx of items after a food-drive, keeping a minimum stock and responding to emergency situations, we sometimes fall short on some high-in-demand items. Every Wednesday, we post the top most-needed items on our Facebook page #whatsneededwednesday.
Urgently Needed
- Tea
- Hot Chocolate
- Dried Soups
- Shampoo/Conditioner
- Women’s Deodorant
- Shave Cream/Razors
- Cleaning Supplies
- Toilet Paper
Donations
The items we accept as donations vary from cash, over pet food, personal hygiene items to all kinds of food.
There are, however, a couple items that we cannot accept, please do NOT bring us:
- Homemade Food(Jams, Preserves, Canned Meats)
- Meat not commercially butchered(we require proof from butcher/processing plant)
- Wild Game
- Ungraded Eggs
- Opened or Partially Used Items
- Frozen Foods
- Over the Counter Medications
Fresh, perishable foods can only be accepted directly at the Food Bank WITH a copy of the receipt showing the date & time they were purchased.
The Okotoks Food Bank is located at Unit #7 109 Stockton Point.
Donation Drop-Off Hours:
Monday: 12:00 – 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 1:00 – 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:30 pm
Thursdays: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 6 – 8:30 pm
Friday: 12:00 – 4:30 pm
Their phone number is 403-651-6629.
Monetary donations can also be made by mail: P.O. Box 942 – Okotoks, AB T1S 1B1
History of the Okotoks Food Bank
Okotoks Food Bank Association has been serving individuals and families residing in the Town of Okotoks and surrounding region, including Aldersyde, Davisburg, DeWinton, and parts of the MD of Foothills, since 1985. At that time, it became apparent to the four local churches in Okotoks (St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Okotoks United Church, St. James Catholic Church, and the Evangelical Free Church) that there was a need for a Food Bank to help those who found finances tight and struggled to put food on their table.
The first location of the Okotoks Interfaith Food Bank was the basement of St. Peter’s Church Parish Hall on Clark Avenue and was open one day a week for a few hours. Some of the early volunteers included Ethel Tucker, Ruby Cole, Anna Sproat, Marg Sawatsky, Pat Paquin, Pat Balderson, Debbie Frederickson, Mary & Norm Willis, Irene Wilford, and Lona Oliemans.
As the town grew and need became more urgent, additional churches and volunteers became involved and a second day was added to the schedule. In 1992, St. Peter’s Church moved to new premises on Riverside Way and the Food Bank moved with it. When the Food Bank outgrew its space there, Okotoks United Church offered a room in their new building (formerly the Ginger Tea Room) on Riverside Drive, with extra space in the basement. Up until this time, all those involved were volunteers including the Executive Director, Leah Carter.
In 2010, Okotoks Food Bank Association was incorporated under the Societies Act and a Board of Directors was formed with Karen Wilke at the helm as a part-time Executive Director.
The search for an adequate permanent building began in 2013 and the fundraising campaign was underway. Paul Rockley and Bill McAlpine headed up this capitol campaign and were instrumental in making the dream of a new, permanent home for our Food Bank, a reality. In March 2014, the present location at #7, 109 Stockton Point was opened.
Fast forward to 2017 when we distributed 1,478 hampers to 518 individual households and recently leased additional office and warehouse facilities to accommodate the increased demands put on the Food Bank due to the economic downturn.
Our incredible team of both paid staff and volunteers are managed by Sheila Hughes, the full-time Executive Director, and governed by a Board of Directors.
We are a registered charity and provide tax receipts to donors. We are supported by nine ministerial churches and many remarkable community members. We receive support of food and monetary donations from Food Drives, Fundraisers and donations from individuals and businesses.
Okotoks Food Bank Association operates independently and is a member in good standing with Food Banks Alberta and an affiliate member of Food Banks Canada. We adhere to Food Banks Canada Ethical Foodbanking Code.
