Root Cellar’s annual Food Round-up returns on Saturday across Medicine Hat

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

The initiative is organized in partnership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where volunteers distributed yellow donation bags to homes throughout the city last week and will return on Saturday to collect them.

What's On

Top five things to do at the Medicine Hat Public Library in June

Jun 01, 2026

Smile Sundays

NAOAGA tournament starts Monday at Connaught Golf Club, Medicine Hat's Florkowski looks for seventh win

May 31, 2026

What's On

Here is what's on in Medicine Hat this weekend: May 29-31

May 29, 2026

Mullis said residents are encouraged to fill the bags with non-perishable food items and household essentials.

“Things like toilet paper, toiletries, are also welcome, but we don’t take perishable food. So no meats or cheese or dairy or anything like that,” Mullis said.

The campaign has grown each year since it began, with last year’s Food Roundup bringing in 46 pallets of food.

“It’s quite amazing the community support that wraps around this event, and every year it’s grown from the first year,” Mullis said.

The donations help support a growing number of families accessing the Root Cellar’s services.

“We’re feeding an unprecedented amount of people in our community right now. So all of their support really helps,” Mullis said.

Although the collection of donation bags will begin at 9 a.m., pickups may continue until 2 p.m. on Saturday.

“If everybody’s bag is out at 9 a.m., it should be picked up that day,” Mullis said.

Mullis said residents whose bags are missed on Saturday can drop them off at the Root Cellar or at collection points in local grocery stores.

The event relies entirely on volunteers, including members of the LDS church, sports teams, businesses and community groups.

This year, volunteers will also be supported by members of the Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services and the Medicine Hat Police Service, who will help receive donations at collection sites around the city.

“It’s going to be a really cool community day,” Mullis said.

“It’s an easy way for everybody to get involved. If everybody fills the bag, it makes such an impact for months to come on the root cellar and the families that we serve.”