There is no reason anyone in Sundre and the surrounding area should go hungry, said a pastor who helped found the Plus 1 emergency food hamper service about five years ago.
“I think we, as a community, should be able to take care of our own,” said McDougal Chapel pastor Kent Janz.
A handful of coordinators run the emergency food hamper service in the chapel's basement, he said.
“We have shelves that are all filled and labelled.”
People who need to use the service get to do so confidentially and are offered the opportunity to browse the stock for items they need, he said.
“The whole idea is they fill up their own bags.”
The way donations come in is rather unique, he said, adding that giving money is easy but getting active requires more effort.
“We don't take financial donations.”
The idea behind calling the program Plus 1 is that anyone who wants to contribute a non-perishable food item simply needs to buy one extra item when he or she is shopping at the grocery store, Janz said, adding that contributions can be dropped off at bins marked Plus 1, which include locations at the chapel itself as well as at the Bergen Missionary Church.
“If we take initiative as a group, as a community, we can feed a lot of people.”
As many as 20 people a month come through the chapel's doors seeking emergency food hampers, up significantly from an average of roughly half a dozen when the program first started, he said, adding that increase is indicative of the tough economic times.
The service has to date largely been advertised by word of mouth and has grown sufficiently to justify expanding it, he said.
“We're equipped to start helping more people.”
The emergency food hamper service caters to a different type of need than the Mountain View Food Bank. Plus 1 is not intended to operate as a food bank but rather as a temporary short-term emergency option to help people get back on their feet. People who find themselves needing longer-term support would be referred to the food bank, he said, adding referrals can also be made for anyone who needs financial guidance or mental health help.
“We're not in competition with the Mountain View Food Bank, we're just meeting a local need.”
Food donations for Plus 1 come from people in the surrounding area, and Janz said he hopes the emergency food hamper service will have a positive impact.
“It's our version of paying it forward. This is one thing we're focused on getting better at.”
People who find themselves in a position of needing the service are treated with respect and confidentiality, he said.
“We'll make sure you're well taken care of.”
The coordinators strive to ensure a welcoming atmosphere. After all, church is not limited to Sunday services but is rather a full-time community commitment, he said.
“My job is to make this community, as well as the church community, better.”
The pastor enjoys the opportunity to be able to give back as well as help people in need, and he encourages others to be the change they wish to see in the world.
Anyone who wants to find out more about Plus 1 can call or text 403-636-0554. One of the program's coordinators will get back in touch to arrange a time to meet at the chapel if needed, he said.
“We try to work around people's schedules, within reason.”
