Interfaith Food Bank is deeply connected to this land, the traditional land of the Blackfoot Niitsitapi people. We acknowledge the history and resilience of the Blackfoot, Metis, Inuit and other First Nations people who call this land home.

We recognize and value the gifts from this land: food, water, medicine, teachings, connection and joy, sustaining us through the changing seasons.

Interfaith Food Bank strives to be a sanctuary where all people can find nourishment and healing over time. We recognize that change is a journey and will continue to practice Reconciliation at every step through sharing, caring, honesty and respect.

Interfaith Food Bank is committed to excellence in serving all stakeholders (clients, partners, donors, and volunteers) including people with disabilities.

At Interfaith Food Bank, we strive to provide services and resources in a way that respects the dignity and independence of all members of our community at all times. We also commit to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our services and resources, and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place, and in a similar way to other users. If a barrier to accessing our services and resources cannot be removed, we will seek alternative ways to ensure access to the services and resources.

Facility Accessibility – Interfaith Food Bank accommodates people with mobility impairments to use our building by providing:

• Accessible Parking
• Wheelchair Ramps
• Automatic Doors
• Stair Lifts
• Elevator
• Handrails
• Accessible Bathrooms

Assistive Devices – Persons with disabilities will be permitted to obtain or use services or resources through the use of their own assistive devices. If an assistive device may pose a risk to health and safety of the stakeholder or others on the premises, Interfaith Food Bank will accommodate the stakeholder by providing an alternative where possible.

Communication – We will communicate with people in ways that consider their disability or language barrier. We offer a number of methods of communication, using visual aids and translation devices.

Service Animals – We welcome people with disabilities and their service animals.

Support Persons – Persons that require support workers are welcome and encouraged to have support workers accompany them when accessing services or volunteering. Individuals under the age of 16 are also welcome to have a support worker, parent/guardian or chaperone accompany them for volunteer service.

Notice of Temporary Disruption – If any services to accommodate disabled stakeholders are temporarily interrupted, they will be notified of the reason for disruption, its anticipated duration and a description of alternative facilities or services on our social media and at facility entrances.

Training – To create awareness and ensure compliance with Health and Safety codes, Interfaith Food Bank will provide accessibility training to employees, volunteers, and others who work with our stakeholders with disabilities.

Questions or Feedback – Stakeholders who wish to provide feedback on the way Interfaith Food Bank serves people with disabilities can be made:

• By email: info@interfaithfoodbank.ca
• By telephone: (403)320-8779
• By mail:

Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge

1103 3 Ave N.

Lethbridge, AB T1H 0H7

Alternative methods of communication, including meeting in person, are also available on request.

All feedback, including complaints, will be handled within 5 business days by the appropriate staff person, depending on the nature of the feedback. Please see Interfaith Food Banks’ Complaints Process on our website for more information. If you would like to be contacted regarding your feedback, please include your name and contact information. We will do our best to respond to you as promptly as possible.

Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, and recognizes that different backgrounds, strengths, and perspectives will continue to make IFB stronger.  We actively participate in activities that ensure our Board, leadership and workplace reflect and respect the diversity of our clients, volunteers, employees, partners and community.

• Diversity is a practice of accepting, welcoming, respecting, valuing, and supporting persons of all backgrounds and characteristics. Diversity requires an active effort to remove barriers, particularly for persons who have been historically marginalized and excluded based on characteristics including but not limited to gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture, ancestry, religion, and other personal characteristics.
• Equity is the process of recognizing the existence of systemic social inequalities or barriers and introducing proactive actions to achieve parity and equal opportunity in policy, process and outcomes for historically underrepresented or marginalized groups of people and diverse communities.
• Inclusion is the conscious effort to involve, in all aspects of work at IFB, persons who might be excluded based on their backgrounds or personal characteristics. Inclusion requires that we identify, address, and remove barriers to inclusion in all processes, policies, plans, practices, programs, and services.

Food Banks Canada, the provincial associations, and affiliate food banks/programs will:

1. Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, income source, age, and mental or physical ability.
2. Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect.
3. Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food.
4. Respect the privacy of those served and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information.
5. Not sell donated food.
6. Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs.
7. Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger and of the factors that contribute to it.
8. Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance.
9. Represent accurately, honestly, and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.

Interfaith Food Bank recognizes and abides by the Food Banks Canada Ethical Foodbanking Code, as a prescribed requirement for membership.  Food Bank personnel are bound by board approved Guiding Principles as well as by the following Ethical Principles:

Dignity – We recognize the human dignity of all people and are committed to ensuring that all activities at Interfaith Food Bank are conducted in a dignified manner.

Confidentiality – We recognize confidentiality as a right of our donors, clientele, staff, and volunteers. All records, correspondence, and personal information are privacy protected, and persons who participate in any food bank activity are required to sign and abide by a Confidentiality Agreement.

Charity First – Every resource generated and/or received by Interfaith Food Bank is for the sole purpose of benefitting Interfaith Food Bank programs and services first. No individual or organization is to benefit from food bank resources or supplies unless it cannot be used by the charity.

Honest Communication/Transparency – As a community organization, we have an obligation to be honest and forthright in our marketing, advertising, and communication with the public that supports us.

Upholding Positive Public Image – Interfaith Food Bank is completely reliant upon the support of our community, and thus all personnel associated with the food bank are obliged to maintain positive public relations for the organization.

Accountability – We recognize the essential partnership with our donors and the public by maintaining high ethical standards.

Equity – We ensure all clients have fair and equitable access to our resources.

Dignity – We treat all of our stakeholders with respect.

Advocacy – We are a voice in the community for those in need and as such, we look for opportunities to inform the public about hunger and its underlying issues.

Community – We believe that a community effort is required to provide out services: therefore, we involve community members in all levels of our operations and strive for transparency and trust in relating both our needs and our accomplishments.

Partnerships – We actively seek to form and broaden partnerships with individuals and organizations committed to furthering our mission and vision.