The Jasper Food Bank Society has received a big boost to help provide food security in Jasper.

Jasper seniors were the first to receive the news. Over a three course meal of turkey and stuffing and all the Christmas trimmings, enjoyed in the opulent, comforting expanse of the Cavell Dining Room at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, hundreds of locals gathered for the Annual Jasper Seniors Christmas Luncheon.

There, served by Fairmont JPL staff—assisted by members of the Jasper Rotary Club—event emcee Sue Cesco introduced Brian Edwards, the Rotary Governor for district 5270, which casts a net from Jasper to Lloydminster to Yellowknife to Whitehorse. 

Edwards, who lives in Edmonton, had the honour of presenting a cheque for $33K, on behalf of the “universal support” he witnessed from the 59 clubs and nine Rotaracts (Rotary-sponsored service clubs for young adults) across the district.

The recipient of the contribution was the Jasper Food Bank Society. 

The Jasper Food Bank Society had its facility, fixtures and all of its supplies wiped out in the fire. It was housed in the building adjacent to the historic St. Mary and St. George Jasper Anglican Church, and over the past four years, as the community has grappled with a Covid-wounded economy and lean winters, has seen demand for its services skyrocket. 

“The food bank is a key part of your community, a key part of helping those that maybe fell through the cracks at various points,” Edwards said.

Edwards said when the images of the fire, including the Anglican church in flames, were broadcast across the world, Rotary members far and wide took up the cause.

“When we heard about the disaster, we immediately said ‘what can we do?’” Edwards told the room.

And so they got to work, and with the help of Jasper Rotary Club co-chairs Hélène Gendron and Libby Weir, ultimately identified the Jasper Food Bank Soceity as an organization which would be able to reduce the number of people falling through the cracks. 

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland was asked to speak to those gathered. He said the fire has indeed created more hardship in the community.

“With the fire there are broader cracks, and more of them, and more people falling through the cracks. It’s absolutely necessary we have the capacity to assist those vulnerable people in our community.”

While the $33K Disaster Response Grant will help the Jasper Food Bank get back on its feet (its temporary home is at the Jasper Legion), the donation is only part of what was ultimately collected by Rotarians across District 5270. Edwards noted that the Jasper Fire Relief Fund—meant to fill various community needs over a longer period—currently stands at about $60,000.

“We know that over time there are many needs in a community, from students needing help, to mental health challenges, to other aspects of the rebuild that will cost money,” he said.

“We’ll work with the Rotary Club of Jasper to determine what other projects are needed.”

One of those needs—identified in the wake of the 2022 Chetamon Mountain wildfire—was a back-up generator for Jasper’s Alpine Summit Seniors’ Lodge. 

Thanks to the collective action of Rotarians in the community, the province and around the world, residents will now have more security when recurring power outages take place. 

“As people of action Rotary strives to make the world a better place here at home and around the world,” Weir said. 

Ireland, who was recently recognized by Alberta politicos for his unwavering leadership throughout the wildfire disaster, told those gathered that the luncheon was a wonderful opportunity to draw community in, particular Jasper seniors, who have gone through as much as anybody.

“It is difficult of course the situation we are in,” Ireland said. “But if we are to get over it, we have to go through it.” 

“This occasion is part of going through it,” he said. 

Supporters can still donate to the Rotary’s Jasper Fire Relief Fund through the CanadaHelps online portal.

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com