Edmontonians donated $4.5M, 240,000 kilograms of food to food bank during holidays

Edmonton's Food Bank reached its holiday fundraising goal, collecting $4.5 million dollars in donations.

Edmonton’s Food Bank raised its goal of $4.5 million during its holiday campaign, but fell 20 per cent short of its food goal.

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A total of 240,000 kilograms of food was donated to the food bank during the eight-week push. It had set a goal of 300,000 kilograms.

Nonetheless, the generosity shown by Edmontonians is “humbling” and will help thousands of people, food bank executive director Marjorie Bencz said in a statement on Monday.

“These donations allow us to enter the new year prepared to support people experiencing food insecurity. We food-raise and fundraise can by can and dollar by dollar and knowing our community stands with us makes a tremendous difference.”

The food bank is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year.

Currently, the food bank feeds some 40,000 people a month through its hamper programs, more than a third of whom are children.