Calgary Food Bank CEO James McAra dreams of his own unemployment

JamesMcAra started at the Calgary Food Bank 15 years ago in public affairs.

He is now in charge of a staff of 42 plus directing131 volunteers every day, and he manages an annualbudget of $6 million.

"When I first started I was chief cook and bottle washer, and today I am proud to say that I am still the chief cook and bottle washer," he said.

Watching McAra on the sorting line at the food bank, interacting with staff and volunteers, it appears he loves what he does.

But sometimes he getsfrustratedthe demand is always greater than the supply.

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Turning $1 into $5 worth of food

Apparently it comes down to a finely tuned food distribution network combined with purchasing power.In addition to receiving food donations from the industry, the food bank can buy in bulk.

It also can offer tax receipts as an incentive, and it'sarmy of volunteers negateslabour costs.

The food bank has been operating in Calgary for 33 years, and it provided three million meals last year.

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What McAradreams about is writinga book about how Calgary was able to eliminate the need for a food bank.

"I think Calgary should be the first community to close their food bank, to create a truly vibrant community where a food bank is not needed. At that point we write a book so we can share with everyone else how we managed to get rid of a food bank," he said.

Withthe ever-increasing numbers of people walking through the Calgary Food Bank's front doors,McAra can't start writing just yet but he remains optimistic.

McAra says policy changes at various levels of government could go a long way to solving the need for food banks.

"We have to have a lot of focus on the long term, but at the end of the day, we will be able to do this."