The Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area will be in various north communities this Saturday collecting donations for the Cochrane Activettes food bank.

Volunteers will be going door-to-door throughout Sunset Ridge, Cochrane Heights, Monterra, Cochrane Lake, Sunterra, Western Rockyview County, and Water Valley starting at 10 a.m.

With inflation depleting many Cochranites grocery budgets, Helping Hands Manager of food security programs, April Baird says the need in the community is high.

"The demand at the food bank is up considerably and the donations are way down. We're even seeing in the grocery store donation bins aren't filling on a weekly basis as they traditionally do."

The food drive is designed to be extremely easy to donate. Non-perishable food items can be left in front of your door and volunteers will run up and collect the various donations. The items can be placed in a new, reusable bag, a recyclable box, or even a used grocery bag. Non-bagged items are also accepted.

If there are no donations set out, residents can expect a friendly knock.

"We are asking that our volunteers do door knock simply because that increases our donations by more than 40 per cent."

Helping Hands has a strong team of volunteers ready to collect donations but anyone interested is welcome to reach out here.

The Cochrane Activettes have a list of the most in-demand items that include: 

  • 1 litre juice containers
  • 100% juice boxes
  • oatmeal bagged or individual packages
  • canned soup
  • granola bars (preferably nut-free)
  • dish soap and laundry detergent 
  • fruit cups 
  • canned protein like tuna, salmon, ham, or chicken