Supporting our community
Humanity Hampers is a grassroots food-based support program founded in Airdrie, Alberta by a group of physicians and dedicated volunteers to address local food insecurity.
Our mission
Our program aims to reduce food waste and address food insecurity in our local communities.
Food insecurity affects so many Canadians, but, it does not affect all Canadians equally, and there are very clear social patterns of vulnerability; including those living in food-insecure households are more vulnerable to a wide range of chronic conditions and poor mental health. Our goal is to address this through a food-based support program that promotes healthy eating and tackles other issues, such as preventing food waste.
Making a difference in our community
Tackling Food Insecurity
in our Communities
Food insecurity takes a toll on people’s health and the healthcare system in general. In children: Experiencing food insecurity at an early age is associated with childhood mental health problems, such as hyperactivity and inattention. Experiences of hunger in childhood increase the risk of developing asthma, depression, and suicidal ideation in adolescence and early adulthood
Adults living in food-insecure households are more vulnerable to a wide range of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and back problems Food insecurity also makes it difficult for individuals to manage existing chronic health problems, such as depression, and diabetes. individuals may struggle to adhere to therapeutic diets or forego necessary medication because of the expense. There is a particularly strong relationship between food insecurity and poor mental health.
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Through the promotion of health eating and by providing individuals and families with the support they need, we are investing in their overall wellbeing.
How it works
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Food is picked up by a volunteer from a local grocery store.
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The food will be brought to location by volunteer for sorting. Volunteers will work to sort food to make boxes for donations.
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Supporting Farms and Animals: Food not suitable for human consumption will go to animals at the farms
This helps our farms reduce their cost for food for animals. Through collaboration, we are helping feed people and animals. -
Distribution: Those who sign up for the program will be able to pick up or have their food boxes delivered.
How to Access Food
If you are part of the local communities that we serve, we want to be able to help you in the best way we can.
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1. Patients currently seeing a doctor at Towerlane Medical Centre, East Airdrie Medical or Beiseker Medical can speak to their doctor about signing up for the food box program. There is no criteria to screen for. We are accepting patients from other clinics, but we are limiting advertising to other clinics, until our process is in place and we have a consistent food source coming in.
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2. Doctors will give interested patients an application and liability form to fill out and hand back to the front desk to be referred to the Humanity Hampers team. There is also an information sheet attached to this package that explains the program's history, eligibility, and where the food comes from, etc.
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3. A team member will reach out either through through phone or email to confirm a curbside pick up or delivery time depending on our schedule.
Currently curbside pick up is being done at Towerlane Medical Back Entrance from 3-4pm every Sun.
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4. By completing the follow-up survey after receiving a food box — or if not, a team member will reach out — participants can request a food box each week. There is no limit on number of times patients can request a food box.
How to Volunteer
1. Interested volunteers are asked to contact one of the three available medical centres for a volunteer application and liability form. Volunteer positions are also being posted on Volunteer Airdrie and Propellus (formerly Volunteer Calgary).
2. A team member will then reach out to coordinate availability and answer any questions a volunteer may have.
We usually tell volunteers it will be about an hour of their time from 3-4 p.m. on Sundays.
