Take it to the Bank

Jasper’s food bank is already doing brisk business for those in need of assistance this fall, according to Food Bank President Patrick Mooney.

The public is able to access the resource by appointment throughout the week, but the bank opens its doors from 7-8 pm on Wednesday evenings during the winter months. 

“It’s busy,” Mooney told the Fitzhugh. “There was only one person in last Wednesday but the numbers have been consistently up over the year.”

“The food bank was in greater demand over the summer” Mooney added.

“Specifically, the numbers were up this past summer over last year,” he said.

The resource is completely volunteer run and relies on the generosity of the community. There is currently a full staff of volunteers, 20 in total, Mooney said, but there is always the need for donations.

“This is our busiest donation time...we always do well over Christmas, people are usually thinking about the food bank when they have their Christmas parties or events.”

“It’s a good thing that people are in a giving mood” Mooney said “as the food stocks are typically depleted by February or March.”

“We have some money in the bank, which is good because we usually need to go on a bit of a shopping spree at that time.”

Cutting corners

A key cutting machine was stolen from a local business during the last week, Jasper RCMP report. The machine had been attached to a counter in a locked shed, but it was the only item taken during the theft. 

“There were hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of other tools in the shed...much more easily accessible, but the key cutting machine appears to be the only item taken,” wrote Sergeant Dave Maludzinski in an e-mail to media. Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to contact Jasper RCMP at 852-4421.

Stats Corner

The RCMP had a busy month responding to disturbances, thefts and vandalism during October. A total of 12 impaired drivers were stopped on the street and police seized a grand total of ten pounds of marijuana. The Jasper detachment also investigated three assaults, three break-and-enter complaints, arrested six people on outstanding warrants and also executed three search warrants. Particulars courtesy of RCMP Sgt. Maludzinski. 

Fires and beetles

Parks Canada crews are hard at work around Jasper townsite thinning trees as part of the Firesmart strategy. Another group is out controlling the pine beetle population by cutting and burning infected trees. Smoke from small slash fires might be visible from parts of town and trails on the Pyramid Bench.