Last week, Canada’s only Veterans Food Bank in Calgary announced it will close in January of 2019. 

The spokesperson for the Alberta and Northwest Territories Division of the Legion, David Klug says the decision was made so as to better consolidate services for Veterans.

Locals gather at a cross ceremony on Veterans Boulevard

“To reallocate those resources that were going to the Veterans Food Bank into a more holistic approach to dealing with the challenges that Veterans face. Those challenges range from financial, physical, physical health, mental health, income, trauma, social supports, etcetera.”

Klug says that each Legion branch has a designated Service Officer in place to help Veterans with their specific needs.

“Likely that they’re facing challenges beyond simply needing an emergency food hamper to get them through the month,” says Klug, “Those service officers are much better placed to work with those individuals, to understand what it is that they’re facing and how best to meet those challenges.”

The announcement has surprised many in Calgary and Airdrie who support the food bank on a regular basis.

While the Legion Branch in Airdrie couldn’t comment on the food bank closure, City Councillor Al Jones who frequently donates to the Veterans Food Bank isn’t happy with it.

“Truly disappointing decision.” said Jones in a written response, “It's a crying shame that our country as a whole, doesn't seem to value our Veterans as we claim to. Leaders of our country will stand at ceremonies to deliver accolades to those who have sacrificed, yet fail to invest in ensuring that they can live with dignity once these veterans return to civilian life. The hypocrisy baffles and disappoints me.”

While Klug understands that there is a disappointment in the decision, he points out that local Veterans will not be left out.

“The food bank is not closing immediately, there is a transition period there. The Poppy Fund will be reaching out to those clients who do use the food bank regularly and to direct them to the closest Service Officer to them.”

Klug says that the allocation of services will align with the Legion’s commitments laid out in the Poppy Manual which you can view here.

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