Summer 2022 Comfort Food

COMFORT FOOD | Newsletter

A Family Affair

Volunteers are at the core of what we do at the Calgary Food Bank. 40% of our workforce is made up of people who donate their time to help fight hunger in our community. One of those volunteers is Rana, a mother of children that range in age from 11-18. She’s a physical therapist who has worked in the community for 30 years and has always volunteered for her kids’ activities, their school and with Calgary Reads. She enjoys time with family including playing board games, being outdoors camping, hiking, biking and skiing as well as fun times with friends. We caught her at a community event, supporting the Calgary Food Bank with her family and asked her about her experience helping us fight hunger.

What areas do you volunteer in?

To be honest, we are just at the beginning of our commitment with the Calgary Food Bank. We have volunteered only on 3 occasions – 2nd warehouse, special event (AMA shredding event), main warehouse conveyor belt. (Sorting foods that are donated at the grocery store and special events).

What prompted you to sign up to volunteer?

Over the years, we have donated to (the) food bank here and there and on occasion at our children’s birthday parties where we would collect money or food donations to pass onto the food bank. When it was more age appropriate, my children and I attended a tour of the main warehouse where we learned more about the organization. For me it was amazing to see how many organizations and people were involved and the positive impact for the community whether being a person accessing the food bank, volunteers, staff and others.

Did your kids enjoy their volunteer experience with you?

My kids have really enjoyed their volunteer experiences at the Calgary Food Bank. They enjoyed talking to new people and later sharing their experiences with the rest of the family.

In their own words – Saryn: I really appreciate how the Calgary Food Bank is able to be there for people when they are in need of food. It is so amazing that the food bank can help so many people during their time of need. Ryden: I enjoy being of help to the community, meeting and connecting with new people and learning new skills.

What do you like most about volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank?

I selfishly love the fact that I can volunteer alongside my children and will really cherish these shared experiences as they grow and mature. The food bank has many opportunities for people to volunteer in areas that interest them and at various levels of commitment so I really looking forward to being able to volunteer for decades to come as so many others have and continue to.

Anything else you’d like to share about your time with the Food Bank?

It is truly amazing to be part of an organization of kind and caring people who are willing to be of service to others. It is really inspiring to be around others that are helping with their donations, their time, and their kindness. Thank you, Calgary Food Bank, for helping the community!

Join us! Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Spotlight

Mark your calendar for the Calgary Food Bank’s free Will Planning Information Seminar on Tuesday, September 27th at the Annex Location: 5020 12A Street SE with guest legal and tax experts Shelley Waite, LLB, TEP from Macleod Law LLB and tax accountant Tammy Scott-Willerth | CPA, CA, TEP.

They will share their knowledge and expertise regarding the importance of having a will, no matter the size of your estate. Topics will include Planning your Estate, Executor’s Duties, Probate, Incapacity, and the Authority to Act. Also included will be information about Taxation on Death, as well as provincial and federal tax advantages of making a charitable bequest in your will.

A gift to charity can allow you to leave a meaningful legacy while potentially reducing your estate taxes. Hear from a donor who will speak about why they choose to leave a gift to the Calgary Food Bank in their will.

After each session there will be an opportunity for a Q&A with the guest speakers. For more information and to register to attend one of the morning or afternoon sessions, visit our home page.

Refreshments will be provided, and a copy of the presentation will be available as a handout at the seminar and online.

Partners In Action

Last year, 37% of our clients were children! That is why the annual Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive reaches out to the community to ask for diapers and other baby items to help support our youngest and most vulnerable. Last year 90.3 AMP Radio asked if they could help and so the Katie and Ed’s Baby Bags campaign was born. Now for their second year, listeners of AMP Mornings with Katie & Ed helped to collect over 18,000 pounds of diapers, wipes, formula and baby food.

Inspired by this campaign, the local company Baby Gourmet donated a whopping 21 pallets of their popular baby food. Through our Food Share Program, we sent some to Edmonton’s Food Bank & Food Banks Alberta. This donation made an enormous impact in Alberta communities. In Calgary, we were able to distribute 47,630 meals to families with infants who are experiencing food insecurity. Only together can we fight hunger and its root causes. Thank you, 90.3 AMP Radio, Baby Gourmet and all who donate with our youngest clients in-mind.

Collaboration!

As temperatures climb it’s important to make sure we are hydrating, but for those in crisis or experiencing homelessness this can be difficult. We catch the forecasts so we can plan and help. Just this past July we distributed over 14 pallets of water to partners like the Calgary Drop-In Centre and others.

Summer may slow down for some, but at the Calgary Food Bank we are just gearing up for a new project! Working hand-in-hand with Mosaic Primary Network and The Children’s Cottage Family Resource Network we will create video cooking demonstrations using the contents of our Emergency Food Hampers. Armed with cooking oil, a few spices and of course a hamper, we will whip up tasty meals and snacks, capture them on video and share with the community. Stay tuned for the release of this fun, creative collaboration with community partners!

Brenda volunteers in our call centre. Her cheery disposition and love of helping feed fellow Calgarians is infectious! Brenda started working at the food bank with her son, for a school project many years ago and she continues to join us weekly. Thanks, Brenda, for giving the gift of your time to help fight hunger. Join Brenda and volunteer in our call centre!