Design Works and the Strathcona Food Bank are embarking on a transformative journey with the creation of the Nourish Centre — a 14,000  ft² facility designed to meet the growing needs of our community.

Right now, the food bank serves thousands, but the reality is sobering: only 30% of families who need help are able to access its services. The barrier isn’t demand — it’s space. The current facility is split across two levels, has no receiving dock, and is simply not designed to handle the volume of food and people walking through its doors. Storage is maxed out, accessibility is limited, and the organization is “bursting at the seams.”

Meanwhile, food insecurity in Strathcona County has surged: more than 20,000 residents — 40% of them children and teens — are struggling to put food on the table. Usage has risen by 200% in just four years, and every new service offered is immediately at capacity. The gap between need and capacity continues to widen.

The Nourish Centre will work to change that. Planned as a safe, single-level, purpose-built space on a 1.25-acre site, it will feature a grocery-style shopping model, expanded storage, a community kitchen for nutrition and culinary programs, and accessible gathering spaces for families and volunteers. More than a food bank, it will be a place of dignity, choice, and connection.

At Design Works Engineering, we’re proud to support this critical project by providing structural, mechanical, electrical, and energy modelling services, alongside full construction documentation and administration. Our goal is to help create a facility that not only meets today’s demand but grows with the community for years to come.

With fundraising towards their $2.5 million goal well underway, the Nourish Centre is working to create a lifeline for families, a hub for community, and a step toward true food security in Strathcona County.

If you'd like to learn more about fundraising efforts, or to contribute, visit Nourish Centre Campaign – Strathcona Food Bank