“This is a resource for everyone. Everyone needs to eat. Show up and take food. We’re not checking your paperwork.”
You can’t get a better tagline than that!
The initiative comes from the Helping Hands Society in Cochrane in the form of “a food rescue store.”
It’s the most recent iteration of the Society’s previous two “food rescue sheds” they’ve opened, but this one is different.
The sheds, which remain active, are structured as a “take what you need and leave what you can” free food initiative. They serve as a simple solution to community hunger that’s open and available 24/7 to anyone.
The society describes the new food rescue store as “offering a free shopping experience and an option to make a small donation towards Helping Hands and the tremendous effort it takes to acquire this food.”
The food rescue store is staffed unlike the unstaffed food sheds
The new food rescuestore is open to anyone and everyone picking up necessities; if you have money to give, all the proceeds are funnelled right back into saving valuable food from going to waste and continuing to offer these goods for free.
It functions on the morals of “mutual aid,” which the operation describes as the “opposite” of charity.
“Instead of people in power handing down donations to those they deem ‘less fortunate,’ we collectively work together to lift each other up,” the organization said in a Facebook post.
“Mutual aid is about community, reciprocity, and dismantling systems of power and control.”
Essentially, rather than a standard food bank model, the operation doesn’t separate those in need from those who aren’t, creating a communal space where you can both give and receive aid.
It’s exhilarating,” says Laura McDonald, Executive Director of Helping Hands Society, “I feel like we are really seeing the potential of Helping Hands, what community looks like, and I’m so excited to see what this will look like a year from now.”
Through their growing food operations, Helpings Hands is making a massive impact on food waste and hunger, rescuing and redistributing upwards of 10,000 KG of food in Cochrane every month!
As much of this food is near the end of its lifespan, the more people who come to use it regularly, the better.
Their existing food rescue model involved picking up the goods from various businesses and stocking the two food sheds in town, where people could grab and go as needed.
However, the food store, being staffed, allows for more community connection and integration.
People can learn about their nine other programs, volunteer, or pay for their food knowing that the money goes back to supplying a bigger picture; there’s someone present at the store to make it happen.
Plus, a friendly greeting during your grocery run never hurts!
“Just to say hello, shop with dignity, and know that anyone is welcome,” Programs Manager Melia Hayes said. “You don’t have to be in need to come and shop; you can come and shop, and give back to Helping Hands instead of paying for something that you might buy at the grocery store.”
It’s a movement worth getting behind, and as the name implies, it takes a lot of helping hands to make it a reality.
“Behind the scenes, away from the spotlight, these remarkable individuals work tirelessly, driven by a deep sense of compassion and dedication to making a difference,” the organization said of their volunteers.
For anyone interested in participating in their programs on any level, you can find more info about Helping Hands on their website, as well as their Facebook and Instagram @freefoodshedcochrane
