From Humble Beginnings to a Multi-Service Nourishment Centre

September 4, 2024

The Board of Directors of The Fort Saskatchewan Food Gatherers Society is thrilled to announce our newly formed partnership with Dow. On behalf of the Society, our employees and volunteers, we would like to express our overwhelming gratitude to Dow for providing the Food Bank with substantial funding.

“Over $2 million will be donated to the Nourishment Centre over the next three years. This generous funding

will be utilized to: pay off the remainder of the mortgage, purchase a refrigerated vehicle for food distribution,

provide funding for a Community Kitchen housed at the Nourishment Centre, and to support other programs

and safety improvements at our site.“

Dee Lawrence – President Board of Directors

To have Dow eliminate our debt is an extraordinary event that eradicates the 20-year mortgage we were facing to own our forever home. To receive this funding provides the Board with a tremendous sense of relief. With financial stability, we can redirect our resources to alleviating hunger in our community.

“With Dow’s commitment of significant funding, the Board can focus on our vision and mission,

plan for growth, reassess our five-year strategic plan, prepare budgets to ensure operational excellence,

and focus on the acquisition of much needed equipment and resources.”

Dee Lawrence – President, Board of Directors

This funding will also enable the expansion of our current programs to meet the increasing demand for the nourishment of our residents and allow us to quickly respond to unforeseen, urgent situations.

“For the Board, receipt of this funding also provides an opportunity to pause and remember the tireless

work and dedication of our former Executive Director Kassandra Gartner,

who along with countless volunteers, brought us to where we are today.

Kass would be overjoyed to know that we are debt-free, and now have the financial resources to pursue our dreams.”

Dee Lawrence – President Board of Directors

The Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank, now proudly operating as the Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre, has always been more than simply a source of food for those in need. Since its inception, this vital community resource has grown from a small holiday-focused initiative to a cornerstone of daily support for the entire region.

We believe it is vitally important to reflect on our evolution as a community organization, to truly appreciate how far we have come. Our journey began in the early 1980s when several individuals from the Fort Saskatchewan community recognized the need for a helping hand during the holiday season. Originally, the Food Bank provided food and toys to families at Christmas, with all donations directed toward making the holiday season a little brighter. However, it quickly became clear that the need for this support extended beyond the holidays. In 1984, a group of dedicated volunteers, led by Father Floyd from Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, organized the first year-round food bank, and it operated in a small area of the church basement.

By 1985, the initiative had evolved into a registered charitable organization, the Fort Saskatchewan Food Gatherers Society, governed by a Board of Directors. The Society was known in the community as the Food Bank. This group of volunteers provided food and support throughout the year, not just during the holidays. Over the course of many years, the Food Bank operated in a modest 1,650-square-foot building located in downtown Fort Saskatchewan and outsourced additional storage and workspaces as needed. Volunteers worked tirelessly to meet the growing demand for food and essential goods.

As the years passed, the limitations of the small downtown space became increasingly apparent. Multiple off-site storage units were necessary to manage the growing inventory, and the lack of space made it difficult to expand services to meet the community’s evolving needs. The vision of leaders and volunteers at that time focused on a comprehensive solution. Numerous options were considered until the right location was finally found.

In 2021, significant community contributions and the Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Grant paved the way for the Food Bank to take a significant step forward, moving to a 16,000-square-foot facility on the northern edge of the city. This move established the Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre (FSNC), providing a one-stop-shop for all operations under one roof and offering the potential for future growth and program expansion.

Between 2021 and 2024, the Nourishment Centre leadership team, including Kassandra Gartner (our former Executive Director) and many dedicated volunteers, worked diligently to reduce the outstanding $1.53M mortgage on the building. After the sudden, tragic passing of Kassandra in February of 2024, the community, stepped up in her honour to contribute over $70,000 in donations to reduce the mortgage and support operations.

“Kassandra often stated that our sizable mortgage was what kept her up at night.

I can’t help but think about how happy and relieved she would be to know that we

will be mortgage-free in 2025. It’s an incredible milestone for us.”

Amanda Bell, Executive Director

The Fort Saskatchewan Nourishment Centre represents more than just our forever home—it embodies the organization’s commitment to addressing food insecurity in a holistic and sustainable way. The Centre is designed to be a welcoming resource hub for the entire community, reducing the stigma often associated with seeking help from a food bank. In the absence of our large mortgage, the Centre will be able to expand our current programming to include:

Garden of Hope: With ample outdoor space, the Centre recently started to grow fresh, healthy food for client hampers. Eventually, this program will also provide educational opportunities for individuals wanting to learn sustainable gardening.
Hamper Program: Enhanced delivery options for our most vulnerable residents will be available with the acquisition of a refrigerated vehicle.
Community Kitchen: A commercial kitchen will provide cooking and nutrition education and offer a community space for local groups in need of commercial kitchen space.
Resource Lending Library: A unique program that will lend kitchen implements and equipment to community members, helping them expand their cooking and nutritional skills.
Shareable Community Spaces: Spaces such as meeting rooms will be available for community groups, creating opportunities for public events and corporate training.

The journey of the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank from a small, holiday-focused, initiative to a modern multi-service Nourishment Centre, is a testament to the power of community support and the enduring spirit of its volunteers and leadership. With the generous backing of community partners like Dow, and the continued support of Fort Saskatchewan residents, the FSNC will continue to focus on its mission to feed not just hungry bodies, but hungry hearts and minds, and create lasting change in the lives of those it serves.

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support of Dow, their funding commitment

will have a profound and lasting impact on our ability to serve the Fort Saskatchewan community and surrounding area.

With additional resources, we can expand our services, and create vital connections between individuals

and the community, while fostering collaboration and unity through the power of food.

This substantial donation ensures we can continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.”

Amanda Bell, Executive Director