The Leduc & District Food Bank was excited to receive a large donation from the provincial government early in March.

The food bank received $400,000 dollars from a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) large grant. According to the Province of Alberta website, the CFEP, “Provides financial assistance to acquire, build, purchase, repair, renovate, upgrade or expand sports, recreational, cultural or other related public-use community facilities.”

The funding injection will be used towards the mortgage on the new food bank building.

“We purchased a building in 2018 and were planning on doing a big fundraising campaign, but with this money we’re planning on scaling that down a little bit because it will go greatly to help out that mortgage,” Board Chair Cindy Carstairs said.

Although they were hoping for some funding, Carstairs said they were taken aback by the grant.

“It was a surprise, we were not expecting this amount. You always hope for more but our expectation was lower.”

The food bank moved into the new building late in 2018. Previously the organization had worked out of three separate buildings in various places around the community. The new facilities have allowed the food bank to expand programs and help surrounding food banks.

“We had our main food bank area, we had a storage area where we collected and sorted food and then we had our kitchen. This just allows us to be in one space and actually see what we have and utilize it better for our clients.”

lberg@postmedia.com