BANFF – Defending Awesome, a custom printing shop in Banff, is protecting the community against food insecurity this holiday season with the distribution of care packs for anyone in need.
Open to the public, applications for the free Holiday Hampers, filled with select food, are available until Saturday (Dec. 16). Applications can be found at www.defendingawesome.com.
“There’s always good that comes out of it that we’re helping those people and trying to make sure that they’re able to celebrate the holiday season and be included,” said Kylea Brady, graphic designer and production specialist with Defending Awesome. “But then at the same time, it’s sad to see that there’s that many people struggling in our community as well.”
Friends and family can also nominate someone for the holiday meal.
In previous years, the individual who was nominated wouldn’t know who put their name in for a meal, which left some people with the impression that it was a scam.
“Every year we have some people that think it’s not real or what not,” said Jim Kwan, owner of Defending Awesome. “Some people will get nominated for their hamper and then they don't really realize who could have nominated them or not.”
To help prevent misunderstandings, Defending Awesome will share who nominated the individual once they contact them about their free care pack.
The hampers include a choice of turkey, ham, or vegan equivalent, alongside vegetables, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce.
People can opt for a breakfast kit instead of the regular meal. Individuals can choose their hampers based around dietary, allergy, or lifestyle restrictions when they fill out the registration form.
“We’ll offer a plant-based option as well for people who don’t want the regular protein of ham or turkey or anything like that as well,” said Brady.
So far, Defending Awesome has raised $4,250 from a goal of $6,500 with the help of local businesses and individual donors. Hitting their goal would allow them to distribute 130 boxes of food, but they hope they can reach 200 hampers if funding keeps flowing in.
Donations will be accepted until Dec. 16 and can be made at www.defendingawesome.com.
The hampers will be set for pick up at the Banff Food Rescue, located inside Sundance Mall, on Dec. 21.
Defending Awesome began trying to battle food insecurity in 2020 when they took their advertising budget and gave it all away for 19 meal kits that fed 100 people. They decorated their vehicles with festive lights and dressed up like superheroes, dropping off the boxes from a safe distance.
“We figured that at that point in time, sales were very minute anyway, so why not try to do something different and try to do some good deeds to people in our community and give back,” said Kwan.
In their second year, 2021, they took 16 vehicles to distribute 100 hampers, feeding 300 people. Then, last year, the team distributed 160 boxes, which fed 850 people.
Santa’s Anonymous, which has been around since 1984, have been on a similar mission to support those in the Banff and Lake Louise area. But due to lack of resources, they were only able to help seniors aged 60 years or older this year.
“So, our program definitely came in assistance for the rest of the people there,” said Kwan.
