Fighting Hunger and Its Root Cause
The Emergency Food Hamper Program is at the core of the Calgary Food Bank’s mission. The food hampers contain ten days worth of nutritious food for each person. When the stress of providing food is literally taken off the table, the emergency can then be addressed. The next step is to help clients build connections and address the root causes of their food insecurity by giving them referrals to other community services.
An emergency food hamper not only relieves a client’s hunger and provides nutritious food, but also relieves financial pressures. A hamper for four people has an estimated market value of $368. For those having difficulties making ends meet, $368 is a significant amount that can now go towards other expenses such as transportation, health care, or the needs of children or other dependents. When clients were surveyed, they said that they now had money they could use to pay rent, utilities, childcare bills, and more.
Approved referral partners (agencies) can make online referrals for Emergency Food Hampers for their clients. These partners will have access to the online referral portal, where they will be able to input client’s information, request pick-up times and track requests. Hampers can be picked up for clients; or they can pick-up their hamper from a satellite location, the main warehouse; or arrange for Care Connect delivery. Please refer to the FAQ section for more information about the online system.
Nutritious Food
The Calgary Food Bank distributes more than 500 emergency food hampers every day. Their emergency triage system makes sure clients, who come from all walks of life, get the help they need quickly.
The Calgary Food Bank believes that good, nutritious food should not be out of reach for anyone. They work diligently to ensure their hampers are nutritious, aiming to meet Canada’s Food Guide.
*Other includes consumables that don’t fit into another category such as tea, condiments, drinks, chips, chocolate, pastries, baking supplies, white bread/pasta/rice etc.
** Whole grains constitute any food item where the first ingredient is whole grain: rice, pasta, bread, crackers etc.
%
Other*
%
Fruits & Vegetables
%
PROTEIN
%
whole grains**
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2023 to June 20, 2024
emergency food hampers distributed
specialty hampers distributed
volunteers a day
referrals to other agencies
“The food bank has helped me get food in a time where I was unable to afford any groceries and wouldn’t have been able to eat. It made me feel like people actually care and don’t judge when you aren’t able to make ends meet.”
Calgary Food Bank Client
Specialty Hampers
Specialty hampers include, Celiac, baby, and renal hampers to cater to the diverse dietary needs of clients.
Renal Hampers
Renal Hampers provide healthy, low in sodium food options while eliminating foods with high potassium as well as minimal processed foods.
CELIAC HAMPERS
Celiac hampers provide nutritious, gluten-free and celiac-friendly foods for clients who are unable to process gluten.
Baby Hampers
Infant and baby hampers include diapers, formula and baby food to ensure the youngest clients get what they need.
Birthday Party Kits
The birthday room is a special place at the Calgary Food Bank. Volunteers gather to build Birthday Party Kits for children who might not otherwise enjoy the luxury of a birthday party. The Birthday Party Kits are nestled under the Emergency Food Hamper Program and are available for children aged one to 12 whose families are getting a food hamper within three weeks of their birthday.
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2023 to June 20, 2024
Celiac & Renal Hampers
Baby and Prenatal Hampers
Birthday Kits distributed
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 Ogden (SE)
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
Friday 3:30 – 5 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
Tuesday and Thursday
12 pm – 2 pm
Fish Creek United Park (SE: Deer Ridge) Formerly Deer Park
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 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
Tuesday 2 – 4 pm
Friday 3 – 5 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)
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)
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
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 many hampers can a client receive in a year?
Eligibility criteria are being adjusted as the situation changes. As of May 6, 2020, clients can now receive emergency food hampers after the 10-day window from their last request.
For example, if a client received a hamper on the 1st of the month, the next date they can receive food is the 12th of the month.
Do you get more food at the main warehouse than at a satellite location?
No! While Emergency Food Hampers may contain different items at our main location than at our satellite locations, you can be sure that we work hard to provide as much variety in each hamper regardless of where it is picked up.
While we cannot guarantee specific items within our Emergency Food Hampers at any of our locations, we work hard to provide a well-rounded variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, dairy, protein and grain items.
How do I get a hamper at a satellite location?
When you are booking an Emergency Food Hamper, you will be asked where you would like to pick-up your hamper. You can choose the location that is nearest to your home or most convenient for you. The days and hours vary for each location, please check to make sure that the location’s hours work for you.
Some satellite locations do have a drive thru model however each satellite location is different. Each location has their own hamper distribution method that adheres to health and safety guidelines. This may include a drive-thru model at some locations, and social distancing and enhanced cleaning procedures at others.
Are there lineups at satellite locations?
Not at all! Our satellite locations are smaller and can be faster than at the main warehouse location. Your client will be helped by volunteers when they come to pick-up their Emergency Food Hamper and they can expect to be on their way much quicker.
Can clients request customized hampers?
Due to the volume of hampers that we distribute daily, we do not customize hampers. Clients can set aside any items that they cannot consume. In addition, we have specialty hampers available including baby, celiac and renal hampers to cater to the diverse dietary needs of our clients.
What content is given for infants and children?
- Children aged 0-12 months can receive a full baby hamper. This includes diapers, wipes, and formula, as requested.
- Children aged 5-12 months will receive a full baby hamper and baby food, as requested.
- Children over the age of 12 months are able to receive diapers.
Please note a baby hamper is only provided to a family who is also receiving an Emergency Food Hamper.
Are baby hampers available at all locations?
Yes! We build baby hampers and ship them to our satellite locations.
What variety of food, formula, and diapers do you have to offer?
We rely largely on donations for baby products and supplement by purchasing needed items. Some formula brands are much more popular than others and are not always in stock. When requesting hampers, you can request any brand of formula, but we may have to make a substitution.
Who is eligible for a Birthday Party Kit?
The Birthday Party Kit never needs to be requested; our system will automatically assign them based on eligibility.
What is included in a Birthday Party Kit?
Birthday Party Kits are built according to the eligible child’s age. They contain party supplies such as birthday candles, balloons, cake mix, and cake frosting. They also contain an age-appropriate toy and a book. Birthday Party Kits are 100% donated items so may not include a particular item at the time of pick up.
Community Partner (Agency) Referral Process
Approved referral partners can make online referrals for their clients to receive an emergency food hamper. In the referral portal, agencies can request pick-up times and track requests. Hampers can be picked up by clients or agencies at the main food bank location, at at our many satellite locations across the city, or arrange for Care Connect Delivery.
Community Partner Questions
What is a referral partner
A referral partner is a community organization in Calgary and the surrounding area that works with people experiencing food insecurity. For a range of reasons, someone may prefer an organization to request and schedule a hamper on their behalf. Community organizations can do this via an online hamper request portal.
How do I become an approved referral partner?
Please call our agency line at 403-640-8810 to discuss your organization’s needs. You will be provided with an application form to fill out. If approved, we will create a profile for your organization in our system and invite you for a welcome presentation and tour.
How do I send online referrals?
Your organization needs to request an application form and be approved as a referral partner before you being able to send in online referrals. You will receive an email with instructions for how to register your agency.
To become an approved referral partner please call our agency line at 403-640-8810.
How can my client access an Emergency Food Hamper?
- Clients can access our main warehouse or any of our satellite locations to pick up their hamper directly.
- Third Party ID Validation option allows for others to pick-up and drop-off a client’s hamper.
- Care Connect is a partner organization that uses volunteers to deliver hampers for clients.
- Organization workers can pick up and deliver hampers on behalf of their clients.
Are there instructions for a new hamper request?
Yes, if you click on the “Help” icon on the top right-hand side of the screen by your name, step by step instructions will appear.
Where can I send my client to pick up an Emergency Food Hamper?
When requesting an Emergency Food Hamper for your client, you can choose from a number of locations throughout Calgary that will work best for them. Find a satellite locations for your client.
Why can't I log in?
Online referral system passwords expire monthly to limit access to workers that may no longer be with an organization. When your password expires you can reset it by clicking “Recovery password” and then entering your email address. This will generate a link to your email which you can click on to set a new password.
Will the food bank follow up with the client after the hamper is approved?
It is the responsibility of the agency worker submitting the referral to let the client know that their hamper has been approved and when they can pick it up. Agency workers MUST wait for approval confirmation before advising the client to come the food bank.
What kind of ID does my client need?
For hamper pick-up, one piece of ID is required for adults and one piece is required for children. Accepted identification includes:
Driver’s License
Health Care Card
Passport
Birth Certificate
PR Card
Immigration paperwork
What if my client doesn't have ID?
If your client does not have the appropriate identification, we will try to be as lenient as possible. When submitting the referral, you may include a comment informing us of your client’s ID issues as well as what is available to them.
How do I indicate special requests?
People cannot choose their produce. They can only choose their meat when picking it up at the main warehouse. Clients can set aside any items that they cannot consume. We have specialty hampers available, including baby, celiac and renal hampers, to cater to the diverse dietary needs of our clients.
How can I view the status of my hamper requests?
The status of your hamper request is located under the tab “Hampers” at the top of the screen. To search for a specific hamper, enter in the seven-digit hamper number or the client’s first or last name. Once you have found the hamper you wish to view, the status of the hamper will show up next to the depot code.
How can I edit the information on the request once it has been sent?
Once the hamper request is submitted and approved, you can double click on the hamper request under the “Hampers” tab at the top of the page to edit the client’s address, phone number, pick up time, date and location. However, any other changes to the request form will require you to re-submit a separate referral. You can also contact us at 403-640-8810, if you have any questions or concerns.
How can I add a baby order to the referral?
The baby order will become available once the birthdate of the child has been entered under clients in the new hamper request. For children 1 and under, you can then select the size of the diapers needed and the type of formula or food; for children 1-3 years old you can select the diaper size needed.
How do I view past referrals?
All the information on past and present hamper referrals made by you are located under the “Hampers” tab.
Where do I go to pick-up a hamper for a client?
You can choose to pick up your client’s hamper at our main warehouse (5000 11 Street SE), or at any of our satellite locations.
I'm trying to access the online system but the link won't work.
If you are trying to access the online referral system using the link that was sent in an email and it won’t work, it is because the emails are system generated and are a one-time use only. Please access the system at https://referral.calgaryfoodbank.com.
Why is it asking to complete a baby order when there are no household members that are under 3 years old?
Sometime when you enter the full year of birth, the system auto populates “20” in front of the year you typed in. Only type in the last two digits of the year of birth to avoid this from happening.
It looks like my client has hampers available but they are being refused.
There are several reasons why a hamper may have been refused. The most common is because a hamper has already been requested and scheduled. To see why a hamper was refused, go to the ‘Hampers’ tab and search for the person by name. The refused hamper will have a comment explaining why it was refused.
How can I arrange a delivery to my client's home
Become A Refferal Partner
Call our agency line at 403-640-8810 to request an application form and receive more details.