MOOSE JAW — As Moose Jaw welcomes in the new year, the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank reflects on the challenges and successes of 2024 and its executive director, Jason Moore, explores what lies ahead during its 41st year.
“I think… our biggest obstacle in 2024 was that our (client) numbers continued to increase from 2023,” Moore said.
In 2022-2023, the food bank served around 400 households each month, and in 2024 that number climbed to over 800 households per month. Even though donations did increase, that rate was only up around 25 per cent compared to the 100 per cent increase in client visits.
Heartbroken but not broken
By July 2024, this trend continued .
“Our hampers were already looking pretty small,” Moore said. “We were doing our best… but they weren’t our full size, generous hampers that we usually hand out — just because our warehouse was looking pretty empty.
“When I made the announcement (about the possible closure), we thought we probably had enough food to last two to three weeks. Maybe, if we really stretched it, we could get into the second week of August but that was it.”
The situation came as an unexpected challenge for Moore, .
“I know it wasn’t a result of becoming the executive director, but it sure doesn’t make you feel good when they bring on their first-ever executive director and… two months in, they’re about to run out of food,” he admitted.
By July 2024, Moore was busy looking for solutions. Recognizing that the crisis was similarly felt at other food banks across Canada, he reached out to around 20 other food banks and was inspired by a successful solution in Medicine Hat, Alta. , that reduced the volume of food going out by around 30,000 lbs (13,607 kg) annually.
The new model also introduced more culturally diverse food choices than were ever available at Moose Jaw’s food bank.
Monetary donations have proven invaluable and each dollar can stretch “twice as far,” Moore said. Despite the Canada Post strike that affected the food bank’s annual mail-out campaign that typically raises around $80,000, media outreach, donation cheques provided with the Moose Jaw Express paper, the effort of numerous groups and individuals, and a $15,000 Cargill donation came to the rescue.
“It was heartwarming to watch the number of people walk through our front door with a cheque in hand because they knew that we weren’t going to get it in the mail,” Moore said.
“Some really and ,” he added. “It was just a blessing.”
, an additional 52,776 lbs (23,938 kg) of food and $11,269.84 was raised.
“This year we set another record. It wasn’t for the amount of food raised; it was for the number of people who showed up to help us out,” he said. “I showed up at 5:30 (p.m.) at (Hillcrest Apostolic Church) and the auditorium was packed. Five hundred people were sitting in the seats, all excited to go out and collect food… I was overwhelmed with gratitude and joy.”
Looking ahead
Moore said he’s excited to expand the food bank’s range of services in 2025 .
“Based on my experience in the last six or seven months… as I put together a plan for 2025 that I’ll present to the board next week, I’m just filled with hope,” he said. “I’m not anxious about anything. I know that this community is behind us….”
A projection from suggests that 2025 will see usage increase by an additional 15 to 20 per cent — a development that Moore said he’s now ready to face.
The food bank also aims to double its volunteer base this year and is seeking 50 additional helpers to assist with food sorting, client support, and hamper deliveries. A revamped website and volunteer app is currently in development to simplify the process.
The whole experience was eye opening for Moore who worked 20 years in the non-profit sector in Saskatoon and North Battleford without a similar comparison.
“There’s a different heart in this community, and I think Moose Jaw should be really proud of that.”
The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911. For more information, visit or ‘’ on Facebook.
