Edmonton's Food Bank is a 5-star charity with Good impact and above average results reporting grade. It is financially transparent and has overhead spending outside of Ci's reasonable range.  With its current reserves, the charity can cover one year and nine months of annual program costs.

Founded in 1981, Edmonton’s Food Bank (EFB), also known as Edmonton Gleaners Association, collects and distributes food to people in need. EFB also conducts research to find long-term solutions to the underlying causes of hunger. In F2022, Edmonton’s Food Bank states that it served an average of 30,787 people each month, and around 40% of its clients are children. 

Edmonton’s Food Bank’s main program is food distribution. It distributes food through a variety of community programs that aim to combat food insecurity, such as Hampers, Agency Meal and Snack Programs, Emergency Bags, S.N.A.C.K. Programs, and After the Bell. It did not provide a spending breakdown for these programs in F2022. 

In F2022, Edmonton’s Food Bank distributed $35.5m ($25.4m in F2020) in food donations and spent a further $3.1m on buying food ($2.1m in F2020). In total, it gave out 5.9 million kg of food during the year (4.8 million kg in F2020). EFB distributes food to 320 local agencies, shelters, churches, school programs, and food depots to reach people in need. This includes 88 schools that EFB works with through its S.N.A.C.K. (Supporting Nutrition For All Classes And Kids) Programs. Edmonton’s Food Bank reports that it helped local agencies distribute around 450,000 meals and snacks each month in F2022. 

EFB also prepares and distributes food hampers. Food hampers are specialized food supply boxes created based on each client’s needs, such as household size and dietary restrictions. Clients can also request additional supplies, including pet food, school snacks, and toiletries. In F2022, the charity provided food hampers to 67,046 people (60,896 people in F2020). During the year, Edmonton’s Food Bank distributed 39,744 litres of milk (32,733 litres in F2020) and 138,240 dozen eggs (131,040 dozen in F2020). 

Edmonton’s Food Bank conducted surveys in 2015, 2018 and 2021 to learn more about the needs and demographics of its clients. In 2021, EFB found that only 17% of its clients were employed (down from 22% in 2018). A third of the people surveyed lost their job due to covid-19. The charity reports that in 2021, 70% of its clients were not connected to other forms of support to help them with their needs. Edmonton’s Food Bank has its Beyond Food program to address client needs and promote self-sufficiency. Beyond Food provides job skills training, computer literacy skills, first aid training, and counselling services. In F2022, EFB reached 854 clients through Beyond Food. The charity reports that 70% are employed after being in the program.  

In F2022, EFB bought a new warehouse due to the increase in people using its services. It opened in June 2023. The warehouse is used to store nonperishable food, as a depot location, and a pantry for clients.  

Edmonton’s Food Bank received $11.5m in donations in F2022. It also received $35.5m in donated food. Administrative costs are 2% of revenues (less investment income) and fundraising costs are 8% of cash donations. This results in total overhead spending of 10%. For every dollar donated to the charity, 90 cents go to the cause. This is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. 

Edmonton’s Food Bank had total reserve funds of $13.5m in F2022. Reserve funds are the charity’s cash and investments. Excluding the cost of donated food, funding reserves can cover around one year and nine months of annual program costs.

Charity Intelligence has sent this update to Edmonton’s Food Bank for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming. 

Updated on August 4, 2023 by Alessandra Castino.