Calgary Food Bank aware of donations being resold online

Iman Bukhari is a new mother who regularly uses online marketplaces to buy and sell children’s items. She’s noticed a trend recently of people reselling grocery items, which she believes originally came from charities like the Food Bank.

“For almost one year now I’ve been seeing a huge trend of people either selling food or giving away food, and you know its not just pantry cleanouts and you know its coming from some sort of hamper program or some sort of food bank because it’s the same items and they’re usually posted around the same time on a bi-weekly basis,” Bukari said.

One advertisement on Kijiji shows someone who says they’re allergic to gluten looking to sell what they claim is $700 worth of food items in exchange for $350 or an iPad.

Shawna Ogston, spokesperson for the Calgary Food Bank, says they are aware of the issue.

“We have been witnessing some of the things online, we know that people are sharing their hamper contents. We definitely want people to know you don’t have to buy food online, that the hampers are here and the CFB is here for you,” Ogston said.

The Calgary Food Bank is experiencing its highest demand for food ever — a 29 per cent increase year over year. Last month over 11,000 hampers were distributed. To meet demand, they’ve increased the limits people can pick up hampers and modified eligibility criteria.

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Over 4,000 hampers are distributed every week at the Calgary Food Bank, and that number continues to rise.

But how does the food bank decide which food goes to each person? There are gluten-free hampers for those who have celiac disease, and modifications for other health issues. People are also asked which proteins they prefer, and there are halal and vegetarian options.

Meaghon Reid, executive director of vibrant communities Calgary, says this is a sign of desperation and struggle woven throughout Calgary, but there are solutions.

“I think we need to look at the faces behind that decision, and that might be adults or children who aren’t eating that night so their parents can pay the rent and that is absolutely happening in our city,” Reid said. “We have the resources to re-index income supports, the resources to provide those necessary income boosts that people need so that hopefully we don’t see these challenges down the road.”