Recent donations provide boost for Ponoka Food Bank

PONOKA -- A pair of recent donations has provided a boost for the Ponoka Food Bank.

On June 30, the Ponoka Chamber of Commerce held its annual Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser at the old Mainstreet Hardware building in the Ponoka Plaza. According to Chamber President Bruce Clarke, the event raised $5,250 to support the food bank's operations. 

This comes as the Ponoka Fire Truck Association (Ponoka Shriner's Fire Truck Unit) donated a total of $5,000 to the Ponoka Food Bank a little over a week prior. All of the funds raised will go towards supporting the Ponoka Food Bank as local demand continues to rise.

In 2025, Alberta recorded the fastest-surging food bank demand, with visits increasing by 21.8 per cent over the prior year. This marked the largest increase in the country. Total visits hit roughly 210,000 per month, with over 75,000 for children. Since 2019, it's been reported that the overall demand in Alberta has increased by over 134 per cent. Some of this has been attributed to the rising costs of housing, leaving little left over for food budgets. 

The Ponoka Food Bank first opened its doors in 1984 and has served the community for over 40 years.