Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit

08/26/2026

Raymond, Alta., food charity shutters after inspection

A food charity in southern Alberta has closed its doors after provincial public health officers discovered several significant health concerns at its facility.

08/18/2026

Southern Community Food Security &
Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit
As of August 17th, 2026 Southern Community Food Security and Southern Community Thrift will be officially closing our doors and both charities will no longer be operating. No food will be distributed through our organization and the thrift store will cease to take donations or selling goods.

We are so thankful for those in the community that have supported our mission these last 5 years. We are honored to have helped thousands of families and individuals during that incredible time. We cannot thank our team of loyal and tireless volunteers enough for the countless hours they have poured into these charities; they have truly made a difference in so many lives.

We have not made the decision to shut down operations lightly. We have continually fallen short on our need for able bodies to help with the manual labor involved in handling and distributing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of food. While we are indebted to the folks who have shown up routinely, this task has become more than our bodies can continue to allow.

We also want to acknowledge the lack of support from the municipal government here in Raymond. Though there have certainly been members who have done incredible things to support our mission, some have put up major roadblocks to our success in helping relieve food insecurity in rural southern Alberta communities. With the continued lack of supports, we have been left with no choice.

We will be working with local charities to receive our goods, equipment and inventory as we dissolve our operations. We hope to make lasting ripples in other charities with what we have built here. Food security has always been our mission and we aim to benefit charities with like minded missions. Please stay tuned for more information on this.

We are sincerely and truly sorry to the folks our closing will cause suffering to. We hope that we have inspired neighborly love and kindness enough that more than a few will pick up the torch in our place and work towards alleviating food insecurity for our rural and small town neighbors.

We are forever grateful to the businesses and donors who have supported us supporting the communities around us. We could not have done this without the local truckers, the local farmers or the multitudes of Hutterite colonies who have made sure the food could get where it needed to be.

We love this community with all of our hearts! Thank you for helping us make a difference! We love and appreciate you all. We will be taking this time to focus on our health and families, but we will always be neighbors helping neighbors.

Southern Community Food Security
Southern Community Thrift

ORDER OF AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NOTICE OF CLOSURE
To: Southern Community Food Security Society
RE: The food establishment located in Raymond, Alberta and municipally described as:
Southern Community Food Security Society, 4 - 257 Railway Avenue
WHEREAS I, an Executive Officer of Alberta Health Services, have inspected the above noted premises pursuant to the provisions of the Public Health Act, RSA 2000, c. P-37, as amended;
AND WHEREAS such inspection disclosed that the following conditions exist in and about the above noted premises which are or may become injurious or dangerous to the public health or which might hinder in any manner the prevention or suppression of disease, namely:
a. A pallet of eggs consisting of approximately 44 boxes, each containing 15 cartons of one
dozen eggs, was held without proper refrigeration. Additionally, there was one box of eggs and one carton of eggs on the shelf of the publicly accessible food pantry. The eggs were procured from the Lethbridge Food Bank the previous day, loaded into a non-refrigerated
vehicle, and then held without proper temperature control for greater than 24 hours.
b. There were 10 cases of Good Grow Toddler Formula with an expiration date of 2026 MA
09.
c. Severely dented cans, canned foods that had the labelled removed or were not properly
labelled, and canned foods labelled Family Canning: Not for Sale were found on the
storage shelf.
d. The food establishment was overcrowded and disorganized. Incompatible storage
practices were observed with food items stored in close proximity to non-food related items.
It was difficult to properly inspect the food establishment due to the volume of material and the disorganization of the storage area.
e. Access to the handwash sink was blocked by metal shelving and by the disorganization
and collection of items, which impeded access to handwashing for food handlers

08/13/2026

08/13/2026

Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit has furniture, and many other items available. We have tables, chairs, night tables, desks, bed frames, cabinet's, golf clubs, etc... We have dishes, housewares, TVs, vases, sporting goods, hockey skates, tools, fishing supplies, etc... We haves clothing, outerwear, footwear, dress wear, bedding, towels, purses, etc..... We have games, puzzles, movies, CDs, etc... We have almost anything..... Come check us out at 257 Railway Ave Raymond. Check out our pantry items as well Southern Community Food Security Southern Community Food Security .

08/13/2026

Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit has furniture, and many other items available. We have tables, chairs, night tables, desks, bed frames, cabinet's, golf clubs, etc... We have dishes, housewares, TVs, vases, sporting goods, hockey skates, tools, fishing supplies, etc... We haves clothing, outerwear, footwear, dress wear, bedding, towels, purses, etc..... We have games, puzzles, movies, CDs, etc... We have almost anything..... Come check us out at 257 Railway Ave Raymond. Check out our pantry items as well Southern Community Food Security Southern Community Food Security .

08/12/2026

Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit is having a Sale!!!! All shorts, summer shoes, all youth clothing, all youth footwear is on sale for $2/item. As well check out our pantry items.... The sale runs from Aug 12-15, 2026. We are located at 257 Railway Ave Raymond. Our Thrift Store 100% supports our Southern Community Food Security Southern Community Food Security program.

08/08/2026

Southern Community Food Security has potato wedges, and live lettuce, if you would like to pick some up, please come over to 257 Railway Ave Raymond. We will be here from 11am till 3pm or when they run out. They are open to everyone who would like some. We have a lot. There will also be a few other items available. But you must come find out what they are. We also always accept donations. They are what keeps our program running. We accept cash, debit, credit, or bottles. Donations are Not mandatory! Southern Community Thrift Nonprofit

08/08/2026

Southern Community Food Security has potato wedges, and live lettuce, if you would like to pick some up, please come over to 257 Railway Ave Raymond. We will be here from 11am till 3pm or when they run out. They are open to everyone who would like some. We have a lot. There will also be a few other items available. But you must come find out what they are. We also always accept donations. They are what keeps our program running. We accept cash, debit, credit, or bottles. Donations are Not mandatory! Southern Community Food Security

08/01/2026

Southern Community Food Security
Southern Community Food Security
Has red & white potatoes available today Aug 1
from 11am till 3pm. We also have marshmallows. Come on over and grab some. 257 Railway Ave Raymond.