The humble beige paper grocery bag has become a powerful symbol of community this week as thousands appeared on doorsteps across Medicine Hat. It’s a simple concept with significant impact: residents fill the bags with non-perishable food items, and volunteers collect them days later, channeling much-needed support to the Medicine Hat Food Bank.
“We’re seeing unprecedented demand,” explains Celina Symmonds, executive director of the Medicine Hat Food Bank. “Last year, we served over 8,200 individuals, which represents a 34% increase from 2023. These bag drives have become essential to maintaining our inventory through summer months.”
The initiative arrives at a critical moment. Statistics Canada reported in March that Alberta’s food inflation has outpaced the national average for eight consecutive months, with grocery prices rising 5.1% year-over-year. For families already struggling with housing costs, this creates what Symmonds calls “an impossible math problem.”
Walking through their warehouse yesterday, I could see the strain. Shelves typically stocked with canned vegetables showed concerning gaps. Protein sources – tuna, beans, peanut butter – were similarly depleted. These are precisely the items highlighted on the donation list attached to each bag.
The donation drive has evolved since its inception in 2018. Originally covering just central neighborhoods, it now spans the entire city through a coordinated effort with Canada Post carriers who delivered bags alongside regular mail throughout last week.
Local resident Marion Kraft has participated since the beginning. “I make it a family activity,” she told me while shopping at Safeway, specifically for items to donate. “My kids each get to choose something to put in the bag. It teaches them about community responsibility in a tangible way.”
This hands-on approach resonates with many Medicine Hat residents. City councillor Robert Dumanowski points to the community’s history of supporting neighbors during difficult times. “From the 2013 floods to pandemic challenges, Medicine Hat consistently demonstrates its generosity. This food drive taps into that spirit,” he said during yesterday’s council meeting where the initiative received formal recognition.
The mechanics of the operation reveal impressive logistics. Volunteers from various community groups – including the Rotary Club, high school sports teams, and local businesses – will canvass neighborhoods this Saturday starting at 9 a.m., collecting bags left on porches or by mailboxes.
“We’ll have roughly 120 volunteers covering 42 routes throughout the city,” explains volunteer coordinator Janet Chalmers. “Last year we collected over 17,000 pounds of food in a single day. That’s enough to stock our emergency hampers for nearly three months.”
For perspective, each emergency hamper provides approximately one week of food for a household, tailored to family size and dietary needs. The food bank currently distributes about 400 hampers monthly.
The demographics of those seeking assistance might surprise some residents. According to the food bank’s annual report, 38% of their clients are employed but struggling with insufficient wages against rising costs. Another 26% are seniors on fixed incomes, while families with children constitute the largest segment at 41%.
“The face of food insecurity has changed dramatically,” notes Dr. Alanna Mitchell, social policy researcher at Medicine Hat College. “We’re seeing working families who simply cannot stretch their paychecks to cover all necessities. Food often becomes the flexible budget item when rent and utilities must be paid.”
For those who didn’t receive a bag or wish to contribute beyond Saturday’s collection, drop-off locations include all fire stations, the public library, and major grocery stores throughout the coming week. The food bank particularly needs canned proteins, peanut butter, pasta, sauce, and baby formula.
Financial donations also play a crucial role. “Every dollar donated allows us to purchase about $5 worth of food through our bulk purchasing arrangements,” Symmonds explains. “While physical food donations are wonderful, monetary contributions give us flexibility to address specific nutritional gaps.”
Mayor Linnsie Clark highlighted the initiative during her weekly radio address on CHAT 94.5 FM, encouraging businesses to create matching donation programs. Several have already stepped up, including Cancarb and CF Industries, which announced they’ll match public donations up to $10,000 each.
Beyond immediate hunger relief, the food bank offers connecting services – helping clients navigate housing supports, employment resources, and mental health services. “Food insecurity rarely exists in isolation,” Symmonds notes. “Our goal is addressing immediate needs while supporting pathways to greater stability.”
As Medicine Hat faces economic headwinds, community responses like this donation drive demonstrate the resilience that defines the city’s character. The beige paper bags appearing on doorsteps represent more than a collection method – they embody a community’s commitment to ensuring no neighbor goes hungry.
And for those receiving assistance, dignity remains paramount. As one client (who requested anonymity) shared, “The food bank helped my family through three difficult months after my workplace injury. Now that I’m back on my feet, I’m dropping off a bag this weekend. That’s what community means.”
