Making food accessible to everyone in our city
The Emergency Food Hamper program is at the core of our mission to make food accessible to everyone in our city. Hampers provide 7-10 days worth of food to families and individuals in crisis, with amounts varying based on the number of people in the household.
In addition to relieving hunger, our food hampers also help to lessen financial stress, improve mental health and have other benefits on recipients, as outlined by our SROI Report.
Approved referral partners can request a hamper on behalf of their client, but a referral is not necessary for a client to receive a hamper. Clients can apply for an Emergency Food Hamper on their own behalf by visiting our Need Food webpage.
Nutritious Food
The Calgary Food Bank distributes up to 750 Emergency Food Hampers every day. Hampers are packed with nutritious foods and are designed to meet Alberta Health Services’ nutrition guidelines as well as align with Canada’s Food Guide.
We also recognize a range of dietary needs within our community. For this reason, we offer food to meet specific requirements, such as celiac (gluten-free), lactose intolerance, halal and vegetarian.
*Other includes consumables that don’t fit into another category such as: cooking oils, margarine, pasta sauce, and snacks like granola bars or crackers.
%
Other*
%
Fruits & Vegetables
%
PROTEIN
%
Grains
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1st, 2023 to August 30th, 2024
emergency food hampers distributed
baby hampers distributed
Number of satellite hampers distributed
“I got my hamper and ever since then the positive impact was immediate, because I don’t have to worry. The biggest stress, and the thing that would keep me up at night, was hunger pains.”
Calgary Food Bank Client
Baby Hampers
Families with infants can request a Baby Hamper alongside their Emergency Food Hamper. Contents range based on the infant’s age and may include items such as baby food, formula, diapers and wipes.
Birthday Party Kits
Children deserve to feel special on their birthdays, which is why we offer Birthday Party Kits to families receiving a food hamper. These kits are available to children ages 1 to 12 who have a birthday within two weeks of receiving their hamper. The kits may include items like cake mix, toys, books, and birthday candles. Contents are tailored to the child’s age.
Satellite Locations
Hampers can be picked up at one of our satellite locations.
Eastside Victory Outreach (SE)
1840 38 St SE
Calgary Food Bank
5000 – 11 Street SE
Deer Park United Church
77 Deerpoint Road SE
First Alliance Church
12345 40 Street SE
The Mustard Seed
102 11 Ave SE
Supernatural Life Centre
Unit #16, 2221 41 Ave NE
Genesis Centre
10, 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE
Centre Street Church
3900 2 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 9C1
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
8007 Bowness Road
Westview Baptist Church
1313 Ranchlands Way NW
Skyview Community Church
9685 Harvest Hills Blvd NW
Salvation Army - Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre
1731 29 St SW
Grace Presbyterian Church
1009 15 Ave SW
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church
703 Heritage Drive SW
Thornhill Baptist Church
128 Tache Ave NW
Silvera for Seniors
2622 39 Ave NE
Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Victory Outreach Foundation
Victory Foundation Ogden
7012 Ogden Road SE
Calgary Food Bank (SE: Highfield)
5000 – 11 Street SE
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #30
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
Monday to Thursday
8 – 10:30 am, 11 am – 1:30 pm, 2 – 4:30 pm, 5 – 7:30 pm
Friday
8 – 10:30 am, 11 am – 1:30 pm, 2 – 3:30 pm
Saturday
9 –11:30 am, 12 – 2:30 pm
Victory Foundation (SE: Ogden)
7012 Ogden Road SE
DIRECTIONS
Clients enter through the door on the left when in the parking lot. The sign above the door should say "Victory Manor".
TRANSPORTATION
Bus stop located right outside, and across the street. Stop ID 5776 - Bus 131, 151. Stop ID 5775 - Bus 117. Stop ID 3874 - Bus 302. Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Wednesday 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Eastside Victory Outreach (SE: Forest Lawn)
Forest Lawn
1840 38 ST SE
DIRECTIONS
The main entrance is on west side of building facing 38 ST SE
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #1, #43, #87, #135, #155, #440, Max Purple
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Fish Creek United Park (SE: Deer Ridge)
Deer Ridge
77 Deerpoint Road SE
DIRECTIONS
The main entrance is on East side of building off the parking lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #29, #44
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Thursday
5 – 6:30 pm
First Alliance Church (SE: Douglasdale/McKenzie Towne)
12345 40 Street SE
Close to Douglasdale and McKenzie Towne
DIRECTIONS
Drive-thru service on the East side of the building.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #150 to 116 Ave SE OR #92, 17, 151 to 130 Ave
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Monday
4:30 – 6 pm
Saturday
9:30 – 11:30 am
The Mustard Seed (SE: Downtown)
102 11 Ave SE Downtown
DIRECTIONS
Entrance is on the east side of Centre Street, clients are asked to check in at the front desk when entering. Park along 11th or 10th Street.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #24, #10 stop nearby.
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Tuesdays and Fridays
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Supernatural Life Centre (NE: Horizon)
Unit #16, 2221 41 Ave NE
DIRECTIONS
Location is in Unit 16, entrance is at the back of the building, on the south side. Parking can be found on the east side of the building.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #33, #57
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Friday 4 – 6 pm
Thornhill Baptist Church (NW)
128 Tache Ave NW
DIRECTIONS
Pick up through the main doors, accessible via the church parking lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Thursday, 4 — 5:30 pm
Centre Street Church (NE: Highland Park)
Centre Street Church - Central Campus
3900 2 St NE, Calgary, AB T2E 9C1
Northwest Entrance
DIRECTIONS
The entrance to the depot in on the northwest side of the building, closest to the corner of 2nd ST & 40th AVE NE
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #3, #4, #5, #301, #38
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Monday, Wednesday
6 – 7:30 pm
Tuesday, Thursday
10 – 11:30 am
Genesis Centre (NE: Martindale)
10, 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE
DIRECTIONS
The hamper pick-up location is on the southwest corner of the building.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #23, #68, Max Orange (Max is from the Saddletowne train station)
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Monday
4:30 – 6:30 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday
9 – 11 am
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church (NW: Bowness)
Bowness
8007 Bowness Road NW
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #1, #40 and #53
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Wednesday 11 am – 12:15 pm
Westview Baptist Church (NW: Ranchlands)
Ranchlands
1313 Ranchlands Way NW
DIRECTIONS
Entrance on the west side of the building directly the parking lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #97, #113, #815
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Wednesday
11 am – 12:30 pm
Silvera for Seniors – Vista Apartments (NE: Vista Heights)
2622 39 Ave NE
DIRECTIONS
Located in an old Holiday Inn. Pick up through the main doors, located on the south side of the building, accessible from the main parking lot. The entrance to the parking lot is on 26 St NE, just north of 39 Ave.
TRANSPORTATION
HOURS
Monday, 10:30 am - 12 pm
Skyview Community Church (NW: Country Hills)
Country Hills
9685 Harvest Hills Blvd NW
DIRECTIONS
Entrance on the north side of the building directly the parking lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #300, #114, #142
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Tuesday
6 – 7:15 pm
Salvation Army - Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre (SW: Killarney)
Salvation Army - Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre
1731 29 St SW
DIRECTIONS
Pick-up on the right side of the Barbara Mitchell building, receiving/loading door. Clients may park in the parking lot and walk to the door for check-in.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus stop #2 on the corner of 17 Avenue and 29 Street SW. Westbrook c-train station is 8 minutes walk.
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Thursday 3 – 5 pm
Friday 1 – 3 pm
Grace Presbyterian Church (SW: Beltline)
Grace Presbyterian Church
1009 15 Ave SW
DIRECTIONS
Located a block away from 17th Ave SW.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #2, #6, #7, #13, and #698
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Tuesday
2:30 – 4:30 pm
Thursday
4 – 6 pm
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (SW: Haysboro)
Haysboro
703 Heritage Drive SW
DIRECTIONS
The main entrance is on East side of building down a ramp off the parking lot.
TRANSPORTATION
Bus #3, #20, #37, #56, #81, #99, #149, #502, Max Teal or 5 min walk West of Heritage LRT station
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Saturday
2 – 4 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church (NW: Edgemont)
290 Edgepark Blvd NW
DIRECTIONS
Directions: The entrance is at the back of the building, to the left of the parking lot. There is a large parking lot available to use.
TRANSPORTATION
The following bus routes are within a couple min walking distance from Westminster.
- #154, #54, #77, #76 go to Dalhousie LRT Station.
- #138 goes to Tuscany LRT station.
- #299 goes to Crowfoot LRT station. #8 and #123 goes to North Point Terminal.
- #82 goes to Brentwood LRT station.
Please contact Calgary Transit to get more information, call 403-262-1000 or visit the website.
HOURS
Fridays at 11:00 – 12:30pm
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you book an Emergency Food Hamper?
You can learn how to book an Emergency Food Hamper by visiting our Need Food page.
How many hampers can a client receive in a year?
There is no limit to the number of Emergency Food Hampers that someone can book in a year. There does have to be at least 10 full days between each hamper pickup, however the actual wait time is based on demand.
How is the content of an Emergency Food Hamper decided?
The contents of our hampers are designed based on client feedback and are reviewed by Alberta Health Services to ensure they meet nutritional guidelines. As we rely heavily on donations, the specific items may vary but the core contents of the hamper remain consistent.
What is a satellite location?
Satellite locations are alternative pickup points across the city that make it easier for clients to access food hampers. These locations help increase accessibility for those may not be able to visit our main warehouse. For more information about our satellite program, visit our satellite locations page.
Are the hampers different at the main location versus at a satellite location?
While hampers include the same proportion of each food category (protein, grains, fruits, and vegetables), there are some differences. At the main location, clients can make some choices about the specific items they receive. At satellite locations, hampers are pre-packed.
Community Partner (Agency) Referral Process
Community partners and agencies can refer clients for an Emergency Food Hamper at our main location using our online booking link: Online Referral Form
To schedule pickup at a satellite location or to determine client eligibility for home delivery, call our our agency line: 403-640-8810. This line can also be used if you need support or have a question regarding a hamper appointment.
Community Partner Questions
What is a referral partner?
A referral partner is someone from a community organization in Calgary and the surrounding area that works with people experiencing food insecurity. A client does not require a referral to use the Calgary Food Bank, however someone may prefer to go through an organization to request and schedule a hamper.
How do I request an Emergency Food Hamper for my client?
We require all our clients to have appointments prior to arriving. Please contact 403-640-8810 for information on how to make a hamper request.
I’m picking up my client’s hamper on their behalf, what do I need to know?
When picking up a hamper on a client’s behalf, ensure that you have their hamper identification number, along with a form of identification that shows you are from your organization. This can be a work lanyard, business card, etc.
How often can a client receive a hamper?
Clients can technically receive one Emergency Food Hamper every 10 days. The actual wait times are based on demand and can take longer.
I need support regarding a hamper booked on my client's behalf, who do I contact?
For any questions or issues with a client’s hamper booking, please call our Agency Line at 403-640-8810.
My client is needing delivery, what do I do?
Please call our Agency Line at 403-640-8810 for further instruction.
My client requires a specific diet or additional non-food items, can you accommodate this?
Yes, we provide food for clients with dietary needs such as: gluten free, lactose free, vegetarian, and halal. Requests can also be made for feminine hygiene products, adult incontinence products and pet food. These items are based on availability with our donations. These requests can be made when booking the hamper.