The Choice Hamper Program
Thanks to our generous donors and food suppliers.
A choice food hamper is available once every 30 days to anyone who feels they are not able to purchase enough food for themselves.
Each hamper is specially created for your family.
Under the new system, each client is allotted points based on the size of their household. The points can then be used to "shop" for items from a list displayed on screen in front of them. Whether it's essential items like toothpaste and toilet paper or food staples such as fruit, meats, produce and nonperishable items, clients can choose what they need most.
You decide if you need a hamper, no income qualification is necessary.
Hamper distribution is Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 1:30pm
Call 250-914-2423 to register and schedule a time to pick up a hamper.
ID is required on every visit. On your first visit, we ask that you bring a piece of Government ID for each member of your family.
The client needing the service must book the appointment.
Your hamper size could be significant, based on your point choices, so please arrange transportation or a wagon.
When you arrive, the hamper host will check you in and help you choose the food items from the list. We'll then pack the items for you for pickup on the table near the exit door.
Shopping with points - the choice is yours
Depending on your family size you will receive a point value to create the shopping list from the standard list of items we keep on hand.
If you wish more of one item, choose more. If you don’t like something, choose something else.
Our goal is to provide a hamper of food that best suits your needs which reduces waste.
While you wait for your hamper take the opportunity to shop in the self shopping area.
Self shopping area
There is a self-shopping area with items available for you to take from. Please take only what you need.
A variety of items ranging from baby products, adult care products, perishable and non-perishable and bakery and dairy items are available as extras on our shopping shelves. Limits will apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of you, our hamper guests, were telling us that hampers were not always the same size and felt you were receiving items that you did not need or want.
Points allow us to know what you want, and that allows the great volunteers to make each hamper approximately the same value.
We regularly check retail cost and set the point value based on generic brands. If we have surplus of an item, the value may be reduced for a period of time.
No the value shown is approximate.
Yes if you want only a few items, but more of one you can. There is a limit on a few items, e.g. meat.
No there is not. But thanks to generous donations of many donors we currently have enough and points allows us to share it fairly.
Once every 30 days.
Some of our funding is based on the generic information we gather, eg. how many families, how many seniors, and how many hampers are given away to those with full-time work?
The only financial question we ask is what is the source.
You must book an appointment for yourself to fill your choice hamper in person or by phone, once that is completed you can arrange for someone to pick up for you. (Preferably same day) Give us the name of the person picking up and the time that the hamper will be picked up. The person picking up must have your ID for proof. A copy of the hamper choices can be emailed to you, prior to your appointment, send up an email prior to your appointment at shopping@crfoodbank.ca we can send you a copy of the list.
We do not accept expired canned goods. We follow guidelines from Food Banks Canada and Alberta Health Services regarding food safety.
More information can be found at: