Essential Needs Criteria

What we want you to know…

1. You are in our prayers. We are here to help. We can help with more than food. We are here to help you grow in independence and resilience.
2. Be mindful that you are using zakat and sadaqa. The food we receive comes through donations we cannot guarantee the availability of items. We cannot substitute items.
3. Making and honouring your appointments is important and helps us plan and serve others. If you can’t make your appointment please inform us by email or phone.
4. Treat the people serving you with patience, care and respect by waiting your turn, speaking gently and making dua.

What we need you to do to serve you better…

1. Declare an Oath & Agree to Information Sharing

   You must promise (in writing)…

   • That your expenses outweigh your means.
   • That you or other members of your household are not also using Edmonton’s Food Bank, the Red Deer Food Bank, Calgary Food Bank, ICNA Food Bank or another location of IFSSA. If your household is found to be using another food bank you will have to discontinue use at this location or all others. By using our food bank you consent to your information being shared with these other food banks.

2. Present ID: You must submit your own ID when picking up hampers. Pick up for friends or family will only be allowed in cases where there is a documented physical disability and prior arrangements have been made. There is no exception for people commuting long distances.

3. Regular Reviews: You will need to go through the intake process if any of the following conditions occur

   • A year has passed
   • You’ve been away for more than 6 months
   • You missed your scheduled appointment time twice in the past four months.
   • This policy applies even if you have a long-term significant disability that impairs your ability to pick-up hampers.

A regular review is important and helps us identify new resources that may help you, and improve your situation.

4. Honour Appointments

If you come in without an appointment you may be asked to come back at another time with an appointment, or offered a partial hamper based on the availability of goods minus those already spoken for by people with appointments.

If you are unable to make your appointment please call in to reschedule.

5. In an Emergency

Emergency cases must provide as much information as possible to the IFSSA worker and cannot be issued services again until a full assessment has been completed.

If a client is found to be using multiple depots they will be…

1. Informed that they can only use one depot

2. Asked to choose which depot they will continue using