A Note of Gratitute

THANK YOU, A NOTE OF GRATITUDE FROM OUR HEARTS TO YOURS!

This Giving Tuesday we want to give back to you, our community, by saying THANK YOU. Together, we fight hunger and its root causes, because no one should go hungry. Never before has ‘together’ felt as true as it has over the last two months.

No one could ever have imagined that the world would turn on its head so quickly. As you navigate through such uncertain times, you have shown your community something that always seems to ring true; Calgarians come together in times of need and they support one another.

Here are some of the amazing things happening in your community and how you are coming together to ensure that no Calgarian goes hungry.

With restrictions on gathering, one family decided to ask for donations from their friends and family in lieu of gifts for the daughter’s first birthday. With the money raised they decided to purchase baby food, formula, diapers and wipes to support the baby room.

Another prominent Calgarian took to twitter challenging her followers to donate to the Food Bank. She matched donations, up to $10,000. This amazing act of support initiated raising much needed funds to purchase essential food items.

Food Industry partners continue to offer their support even with demand in grocery stores at an all-time high. National companies have allocated food and monetary resources. Grocery stores still have pre-packaged food bank bags available for purchase and several stores have collected donations through the tills. And new donors – including local farmers, bakeries and distributors – are providing fresh product daily.

Local companies are donating proceeds of sales from COVID related items and photographers are taking porchtraits in exchange for donations. Six local dealerships came together with a donation delivering it with a thirty-foot cheque to accommodate for physical distancing.

Not only has the community stepped up by donating food and funds, but Calgarians have also jumped in to help by volunteering their time.

The amazing staff at Southcentre Mall helped to tear down CanStruction structures to make sure that the much-needed food items were available to clients. Also, with the implementation of physical distancing and restrictions on group gatherings, more than 880 unique volunteers are required each week to sort food, build hampers and distribute food. In just a few short weeks, you have filled those shifts to almost full capacity.

“As Calgarians you have shown your support in such a big way and we want you to know, we see you and we appreciate you. Thank you for ensuring that no Calgarian goes hungry!” – James McAra, CEO

Thank you from all of us at the Calgary Food Bank.