Around 800 Airdronians received free food on Monday thanks to the Calgary Guru Nanak Free Kitchen and the local Sikh community.
Residents in need stopped by the Northcott Prairie School parking lot to fill up their grocery bags with different types of food that were being offered. Items included fresh produce, meat, baked goods and more.
Airdronian Sandeep Singh who is a volunteer with the kitchen said even though they didn't start handing out food until around 12:30 p.m., there was quite a lineup of people waiting beforehand.
"You can see in people's faces how happy they are to receive free food and how much it means to them."
Singh is grateful that he can help out his community, and they try to set up and distribute the food once a month, with the help of volunteers.
"We had lots of people come out to volunteer and hand out food, it's awesome to see it grow every event."
Deputy Mayor Heather Spearman was at the event and saw firsthand what a project like this can do for the community.
"I think the thing that I love the most about this particular project and the way that they distribute food is that there's no questions asked, there's no shame. If anybody needs a bit of groceries you were able to get some."
The kitchen has been putting on these events, distributing the free food to Airdronians for a few months. At the last event in October, over 1200 residents received food. Which signifies the demand for events like these in Airdrie.
Food insecurity is on the rise in Canada including Airdrie, as costs for groceries rise with Canada's inflation pace driving up the costs of most items.
Lorie McRitche recently shared that sentiment, stating that the Airdrie food bank has seen a 55 per cent increase in demand over this time last year. The food bank is currently feeding over 700 families per week in Airdrie.
A recent Houselessness Estimation Study also highlighted the growing need for services due to rising rates of homelessness in the city. The top three reasons cited for housing insecurity were high housing costs (rent/mortgage exceeding income), health challenges (including illness, mental health concerns, and physical disabilities), and low vacancy rates.
Singh also wanted to thank the residents who brought food for the volunteers to eat while handing out food to those in need. The kitchen is hoping to host another event in December.
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