Making A Difference ...
Our current programs include our Grocery Basket Program, Program 4 Protein, Dairy Program, Food Link Program, HALT Medicine Wheel Emergency Snack Program, Snack Attack Program (school emergency snack shelf) and a Vehicle Program. We also have a wonderful working partnerships in our community and we enjoy being able to establish these relationships that help us reach our common goals. We look forward to continuing the process of building on the foundation and creating other programs as the need arises.
Grocery Basket Program
Clients may apply for a grocery basket every two (2) weeks. The Grocery Basket Room contains fresh vegetables donated from local residents; an assortment of canned products such as soup, vegetables, sauces, salmon/tuna, meat; as well as cereals, crackers, kraft dinner, cookies, toilet paper, paper products, etc. In addition, on a daily basis items such as breads, buns, pastries, yogurts, milk, vegetables are gleaned from various local grocery stores. On some days, our clients may be able to take home a pizza that has been donated by Little Caesars. It is estimated that the grocery basket picked up by the client contains enough food to last for two - three weeks. In addition, thanks to the area farmers/ranchers we are able to provide clients with an abundant supply of ground beef. Documentation is required to register as a client. A complete listing of documentation is found on the HOME Page.
Grocery Basket Room
Walk-in will be accepted between 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM. The contents of the Grocery Basket Room vary from day to day as it consists of food gleaned on a daily basis from the generous grocers and individuals in our community. The availability of items that we may have excess amounts of may, from time to time, be included in the Grocery Basket Room. There is always a wonderful array of edible food in the Grocery Basket Room thanks to donors in our community.
Healthy Bundles
This program is specifically for pregnant moms and families with babies aged
newborn to 1 year deemed at risk. Pregnancy and the first year of a baby's life are the
most important for their healthy development. Proper nutrition and support
will lay a good foundation for the rest of their lives.
Clients with new babies (under one year old) or expecting babies have access every seven (7) days to milk or formula, juice, eggs, and fresh vegetables (upon availability). Appointments are necessary. The hours are from 10 am to 11 am Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Program 4 Protein
This program is for the cutting and wrapping of meat that is received from our local farmers/ranchers. Due to their generosity, clients receive ground hamburger and ground pork in their hampers and it is
also available in the Grocery Basket Room. Protein also includes cheese and eggs that will go to clients for the Grocery Basket and Healthy Bundles Programs.
Milk Program
Milk can be a great source of nutrients and energy for children and pregnant or nursing women. It can also be quite expensive. Fortunately, due to generous donations, we provide milk to women and children in low income families. The Milk Program is supported by ConocoPhillips and our local Sobeys Store.
Kid's Lunch Program
School lunch supplies ( for families of children attending school ... in addition to the grocery basket.
Food Link Program
Our Food Link Program is designed to share food resources with those in need and partners. Food that is surplus is available to our partners on an “as available” basis. We rely solely on the support of the reclamation program, the corporate sector, citizens of our community school, community associations, service clubs and religious organizations who rely on us to distribute the resources they donate to us.
My Place Program
This is a school initiated program at Crescent Heights High School and Alexandra Junior High. Working through the appropriate school counsellors, students have access to emergency lunch food items.
H.A.L.T. Medicine Wheel Emergency Snack Program
The Medicine Wheel program at Medicine Hat High school is a special program that provides support to Aboriginal students in the school. Since the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Education department of MHHS#76 is housed in this school, it is easy to set up a sound program for MHHS students.
Using the contemporary model of the HALT Medicine Wheel, the program utilizes the traditional concepts of the wheel to instruct students in balancing out their lives. HALT stands for don’t let yourself get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. These four works epitomize the four aspects of our nature according to a traditional Medicine Wheel paradigm. The aspects of our nature are our spiritual self, our mental self, our emotional self and our physical self. H.A.L.T. is an easy way for students of all ages to gage their personal growth and helps them balance out their lives.
Snack Attack (School Emergency Shelf) Program
This program is to provide an Emergency Shelf with nutritional snacks and breakfast foods to all elementary, middle schools and High schools in Medicine Hat and area. An Emergency Shelf will be fully stocked in the schools at the beginning of the school year. Each school participating will be provided with a requisition form to make a request for additional food as needed. This program is being sponsored by several of our very generous businesses in Medicine Hat. Without them we would not be able to provide this service. Thanks!
This program is in place to keep our vehicles on the road gleaning food from our donors on a daily basis and delivering to other agencies and schools when required. It covers costs involved to run the vehicles and putting gas in the tank daily.
This is a very important program as it enhances our operation. Funds are always required to keep it running!
Partnerships
In addition to handing out food hampers and our grocery basket room we also support several other community non-profit organizations including:
Best Babies
Bridges Family Program
CAN - Crisis Assistance Network
Champion Centre
Crestwood Brethren Mennonite Church
Community Food Connection
CORE Association
Dream Centre
Early Intervention Program
Food Link
Good Food Box
HALT Program at Medicine Hat High School
Housing First
McMan Inn Between Youth Shelter
Medicine Hat Catholic School District
Medicine Hat Care Centre
Medicine Hat Family YMCA
Medicine Hat School District #76
Mission of Grace
Miywasin Society
Musasa
My Place Program; Crescent Heights High School & Alexandra Middle School
Palliser Health Region
Phoenix Safe House
Prairie Rose School Division
Redcliff Youth Centre
REDI Enterprises
Saamis Immigration
Salvation Army
Santa Claus Fund
School Snack Attack Program
Veiner Centre
Volunteer Centre