Walking through the sliding doors of my neighborhood Save-On-Foods yesterday, I noticed something different. Bright signs dotted the aisles announcing their upcoming week-long fundraiser for Edmonton’s Food Bank – a timely initiative as our community faces increasing food security challenges.
From October 21 to 27, the grocery chain will donate a portion of proceeds from every Western Family product sold across their Edmonton locations. It’s a simple concept with potentially significant impact: shop for groceries as you normally would, choose Western Family items, and help feed neighbors in need.
“The beauty of this fundraiser is how accessible it makes giving,” explains Suzy Kellow, Executive Director of Edmonton’s Food Bank, whom I spoke with by phone. “Many Edmontonians want to help but aren’t sure how. This lets them contribute through everyday shopping.”
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Edmonton’s Food Bank reports a 34% increase in demand compared to this time last year, with nearly 38,000 people accessing their services monthly. That’s roughly the population of St. Albert relying on food support every 30 days.
Walking the aisles at the Windermere location, I chatted with store manager Dale Fitzgerald, who’s been with Save-On-Foods for 22 years.
“Edmonton has always been a community that steps up,” Fitzgerald told me while restocking Western Family pasta. “Last year’s campaign raised over $87,000, and we’re hoping to surpass that this year.”
What struck me most was the range of Western Family products available – from pantry staples like flour and rice to prepared meals and specialty items. This diversity ensures the fundraiser works for various budgets and shopping needs.
The money raised will directly support Edmonton’s Food Bank’s operations, including their hamper program that provides emergency food to families and individuals, their over 300 meal and snack programs, and their depot network that serves surrounding communities.
Food security advocate Maria Johnson of the Edmonton Community Foundation notes this model is particularly effective.
“Fundraisers embedded in daily activities tend to generate more consistent support,” Johnson explained. “People don’t need to go out of their way to donate – they’re already grocery shopping.”
Beyond the immediate fundraising, the campaign raises awareness about food insecurity in Edmonton. According to Statistics Canada data, Alberta saw a 90% increase in food bank usage since 2019, outpacing the national average.
As I filled my own cart, I noticed other shoppers deliberately choosing Western Family products. Janice, a retired teacher I often see at this location, had her basket full of Western Family canned goods.
“I budget carefully on my pension,” she shared. “But knowing my grocery money helps others makes it meaningful. I’ll use these items anyway – might as well make them count twice.”
The initiative also highlights the evolving role of corporate social responsibility in our community. Save-On-Foods has partnered with Edmonton’s Food Bank for over 15 years, but this particular fundraising model represents a shift toward making social impact more accessible to everyday consumers.
Edmonton’s Food Bank staff will be on-site at various Save-On-Foods locations throughout the week, providing information about their programs and additional ways to support their mission.
For Edmontonians wanting to maximize their impact, the Food Bank’s website lists their most-needed items, which currently include pasta, rice, canned meat and fish, beans, and baby formula.
“Every little bit helps,” Kellow emphasized. “Whether you’re buying a single can of Western Family soup or doing your entire weekly shop, you’re making a difference.”
As we head into the colder months when utility bills rise and the holidays approach, community support becomes even more vital. Edmonton’s Food Bank typically sees increased demand through winter, making October fundraisers particularly important for building inventory.
After covering community initiatives for over a decade, I’ve observed that successful charitable campaigns share key characteristics: accessibility, transparency, and tangible impact. This Save-On-Foods initiative checks all those boxes.
For more information about Edmonton’s Food Bank and their programs, you can visit edmontonsfoodbank.com or stop by any Save-On-Foods location during the fundraising week.
Sometimes making a difference is as simple as choosing one product over another during your weekly grocery run. It’s a small action that, when multiplied across our city, creates meaningful change for those who need it most.
