who we are
The WECAN Food Basket Society Believes in Healthy Food for All.
We believe every person has the right to enough nutritious food to live a good and healthy life. WECAN is focused on accommodating people with fixed incomes who are struggling at the end of each month to provide enough healthy food for themselves and their families.
The bulk buying program is designed to replenish the refrigerator during the month’s third week when food and funds are in short supply. Orders are prepaid so members need only go to their neighbourhood depot to pick up their order.
How We Started
After speaking with members of the communities where they worked and lived, City of Edmonton Social Workers, Cathy Vereyken and Alecia D’Elia, realized that families and individuals needed a way to ensure that fresh and nutritious food could be available near the end of the month when finances were running low.
From this small grassroots initiative, the program has grown to include over 20 depots in Edmonton and the surrounding area, serving over 500 families today.
Who We Serve
Our members are often on a variety of pensions, disability benefit, or monthly pay periods or those with limited incomes. Food is often the necessity in household budget with the most flexibility, so a prepaid model ensures that it is one of the first monthly expenses, not the last.
More than 20 depots are hosted by churches, parent link centers, tenant buildings, community leagues, daycares and other organizations throughout Edmonton and the surrounding area.
Our Mission
WECAN Food Basket Society builds a community of volunteers that uses the power of bulk buying to provide our members with healthy food baskets once a month so that together we can all eat.
Our Vision
WECAN Food Basket Society believes every household should have access to enough food to meet their nutritional needs for a good and healthy life..
What We Do
Our Values
WECAN Food Basket Society decisions are guided by the values of Respect, Community, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Integrity.
Respect
WECAN believes every person has a worthwhile contribution to make. Membership is available to anyone, and members are valued and treated with respect and appreciation.
Community
WECAN connects with local communities to be accessible to our members. We create connections within communities to build relationships and work towards our common goal of food security.
Empowerment
WECAN supports the ability of people to take steps toward greater food security for themselves and their families.
Inclusivity
WECAN supports the ability of people to take steps toward greater food security for themselves and their families.
Integrity
WECAN commits to doing what is right, practicing transparency and honesty, and following through on our commitment to providing healthy and nutritious food to our members.
WECAN Board of Directors & Staff
Executive Directors
Jennifer Scherer – Chair
Jessica Odyjewski – Secretary
Directors
Carol Reid
Keith Kasha
Dana Davies
Jyening Rose
Eliza Odyjewski
Mildred Ncube
Rawaan Ibrahim
Elina Ajamian
Laetitia Satam
Staff
Alyssa Schroth – Program Manager