The Veterans Association Food Bank is hoping Foothills residents will be able to lend a helping hand.

The association, stretching from Calgary south to the Foothills and Lethbridge, has expressed that its means are getting stretched thin.

Brad Menyes, member of the Veterans Association Food Bank and Okotoks Legion, says they are seeing an increase in people accessing their services.

"The food hampers were up substantially this year over last year at Christmas time so the demand is definitely increasing as the name gets out there more and more donations are given, but also more and more veterans are coming forth and using the services."

Menyes says those services extend beyond food.

"There's a lot of things the food bank does over and above food. We provide counselling, we help mentor veterans in need, and really the key thing is to dig down as to why they're coming to the food bank to begin with. Do they need assistance with veterans affairs, do they need assistance with mental health issues, do they need some kind of counselling, do they need trades training to get a better job? All of the above we'll help them out with."

Okotoks has already donated over $1,600 and 150 lbs in food to the association.

Donations of non-perishable food, cash, and gift cards can be made to the Veterans Association Food Bank at the Okotoks Oilers Game on Feb. 7 when they host the Canmore Eagles.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Pason Centennial Arena.

To learn more about the Veterans Association Food Bank click here.

 

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