― Karl Marx
First launched in April 2022, Alpha Hub was created in response to rising food insecurity in the region. At United For Change we know there are more than enough resources to ensure every person has food security. Capitalism allows greed and inequities to flourish, which siphons wealth away from the people whose labor generates profits in the first place. We call out these contradictions explicitly so as not to confuse people of why Alpha Hub was started and why we continue to do this work.
This free food program shouldn't need to exist. But, until we collectively pick up the fight for equity and justice, programs like this offer some relief from the issue while sparking important conversations about what we can do to create food security for people in our community. As we show up and remain committed to this kind of community outreach, we demonstrate that another world is possible if we only focus our energy towards it.
Alpha Hub operates out of 1 Alberta Drive, located Downtown at RCCG The Lord's Heritage Church. Enter through the basement entrance door for Klorious Kids Childcare Center. *If going down stairs is not accessible for you, please reach out to us through our email United4chnge@protonmail.com so we can arrange to bring you a hamper.
Alpha Hub Days are every three weeks on Saturdays from 2:00-3:30pm. Check the schedule for distribution days here.
Alpha Hub is open to anyone in the RMWB. We aim to be as low-barrier as possible to provide support for any person or family facing food insecurity in our community. Community members are welcome to drop in on any Alpha Hub Day and choose a hamper on a first come first serve basis. There is no application or approval process - this program is community members caring for fellow community members.
Our hamper contents will vary based on the funds we have available, but they consist of essential pantry items and dry goods (examples: rice, soup, pasta, cereal, oats, snack foods, cooking oil, canned foods, etc.). We also have various fresh foods available for patrons to choose from (examples: eggs, vegetables and fruit, meat, bread) toiletries and baby items (examples: toothbrushes, soap, baby wipes, toilet paper, laundry detergent)
If you have items you would like to donate, they can be dropped off during Alpha Hub days. Outside of those times, donations are accepted on an ongoing basis. We gratefully accept donations of unopened food items and toiletries, gift cards, and warm winter clothing. Please reach out to United4chnge@protonmail.com or DM us on our social platforms.
Alpha Hub is self-funded and grassroots, and will stay that way despite the challenges we face working in opposition to current colonial systems and rising grocery prices due to corporate greed. If you’d like to support our work and ensure we can provide fresh foods to our patrons consistently throughout the year, consider making mutual aid a consistent practice.
Mutual aid is not an act of charity, it is an act of community. It is by the people, for the people, and it centres the voices and autonomy of the most vulnerable among us. Mutual aid is recognizing that marginalized communities are actively ignored by the government and stepping up to do something about it with the means you have access to - whether that is through funds, goods, services, or time.
We encourage folks to become a friend of change by making a monthly mutual aid contribution as a way to redistribute wealth. Regular funds helps us know exactly what we can provide each month to our patrons. The sliding scale below, created by AWARE-LA, can be used as a guide to help you choose a place on the scale for a recurring contribution that is both generous and financially sustainable.
100% of mutual aid funds go directly to community.
Volunteer to help with grocery shopping before an Alpha Hub Day.
Volunteer to pack food hampers on Friday evenings before an Alpha Hub Day.
Volunteer to support food distribution to our patrons on an Alpha Hub Day.
Organize a supply drive for Alpha Hub.
Tell us about any other skills you can contribute!
Every three weeks our dedicated volunteers show up ready to serve our fellow community members. In the midst of uncertainty, the love we have for each other is what keeps us and our volunteers working hard to build and maintain Alpha Hub so it can thrive as a sustainable mutual aid program. Immense gratitude and solidarity to all of you who support and keep this work going!
- Grace Lee Boggs
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