Food bank supporters will now be able to do their part for the environment.

The Jasper Food Bank is launching a reusable bag program in an effort to reduce its ecological footprint.

Using a community spirit grant, the food bank purchased 800 green bags that will hopefully be used throughout the town.

“One green bag saves eight plastic bags,” said Patrick Mooney, president of the Jasper Food Bank. “The food bank is trying to do their part for the environment.”

Food bank hampers will be distributed in the green bags, which carry the food bank logo. However, they will be in the community, and food bank supporters are encouraged to use them. Mooney said he doesn’t want to stigmatize food bank users, so there is no limit on who can use them. 

“Anybody can use them,” Mooney said. “Not only are they ridding the use of plastics, they’re increasing the visibility of the food bank.”

The food bank will also accept used cloth grocery bags to help expand the green bag program.

The food bank will be opening on Nov. 7, 2009, and will stay open for the winter. This year, the food bank will be open on Thursday nights, beginning at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Anglican church. For years, the food bank was opened on Wednesday night, however organizers have decided to switch its regular night. 

The food bank, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jasper, will be holding their second annual food drive on Oct. 24. The food drive is the biggest drive for the organization, and sees Rotary club volunteers collect food around the neighbourhood.

“Between 40 and 50 per cent of our annual food donation is collected through the food drive,” Mooney said, noting that about 60 per cent of food bank visits occur in the winter months.

Mooney said the community is quite generous when it comes to food bank donations, and the food drive has been a successful event. Partnering with the Rotary club has helped the food drive expand its reach, and provided more vehicles for the event, he said.

The food bank doesn’t have a refrigerator, so it can only accept dry and canned goods, Mooney said.

“Our donors have been pretty good. Canada had a rough economic year. Food bank usage is increasing and that’s not going unnoticed in Jasper as well.”

The Food Bank will also hold its annual general meeting on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. In the basement of the Anglican Church.