about us
OUR NEW STRATEGIC PLAN & MISSION
Mission:
To make food accessible to everyone in our city
This statement embodies our core belief that no one in our community should go without food, and it serves as a guiding principle for our future.
The Calgary Food Bank is the first line of emergency food support for people facing crisis. As the city’s main charitable food hub and the most accessible food bank we have the capacity to serve families, individuals and organizations to fight hunger. We receive almost no government funding and instead we are by community for community, relying on the generous support of people like you.
As the need in our city continues to grow, we have created a 5-year strategic plan to support our mission, called #FeedYYC.
Strategic Priorities
Client Centred
Accessibility: Remove barriers to access.
Choice: Allow clients to have choice in food selection.
Experience: Ensure that all clients are met with a caring and high-quality customer experience.
Community Focused
Inform: Share research findings and data with the community.
Collaborate: Work with other food banks and charitable organizations in our community.
Engage: Leverage the skills, resources, and expertise of the community in our work through volunteerism and philanthropy.
Committed to Excellence
Systems: Ensure aligned, integrated and optimal systems for all aspects of the organization.
Operations: Remain efficient, responsive, innovative and agile in our approach to emerging needs.
Culture: Create a community of collaboration, communication and trust within the organization.
Our Values
WE DO WHAT WE SAY WE WILL DO.
WE VALUE OPEN AND HONEST COMMUNICATION.
WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE.
WE HAVE EACH OTHER’S BACKS.
WE ARE RESOURCEFUL.
“The Food Bank has helped me immensely. Being on social assistance, my budget is extremely tight. The Food Bank does an excellent job of covering all the food groups and offers a good variety as well; milk, cereal, eggs, bread, potatoes, fresh vegetables, fruit, and snack items.”
Calgary Food Bank Client
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024
funds donated ($)
pounds of food donated
Food Link Partners
Our History
Over the years, The Calgary Food Bank has grown from a small not-for-profit in a church run by 4 volunteers, into a multi-million dollar charitable organization with two warehouses with over 160 volunteers a day. It all started in 1982 when different religious leaders in the community were already collecting food and giving to those in need. They decided to join forces to make the most impact within their community and the Calgary Food Bank was born.
At the same time the enormous economic downturn in Alberta as a direct result of the National Energy Program forced thousands of oil industry workers into unemployment. Many declared bankruptcy and also remained unemployed or underemployed for five years. The need for a food bank was greater than ever.
During this time, the Calgary Food Bank also began to partner with manufacturers, transportation companies and distributors to redirect usable but unwanted food. Food shipments that may be turned down by retailers for many reasons such as outdated packaging; unsold product due to consumer shortfalls; as well as items past their best-before dates. This food was usable, fit for consumption and allowed us to fill pantries, not landfills, from the very beginning.
Since the early days, partnerships were established with trucking companies and distribution centres to divert refused trailers of food from the landfill to the Calgary Food Bank. Then in 2007, the Calgary Food Bank formed a Food Industry Advisory Committee, consisting of industry senior management and owners. An infrastructure was created to redirect products that cannot be sold due to short date, damage, refusal, overstock, packaging issues, end of run or seasonal issues, at the same time maintaining a safe supply of nutritious food for clients and charities. By 2013, 82% of the food collected came from the food industry partnerships.
Working Together
We are a proud member of Food Banks Canada, the national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with hunger by supporting food banks across the country. The Calgary Food Bank is also part of the provincial association Food Banks Alberta.
Provincial Initiatives
The Calgary Food Bank is part of the 93 member network of food banks that is the provincial association Food Banks Alberta. Provincial initiatives we are involved with include Farm to School and London Drugs.
National Initiatives
Food Banks Canada is a national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with hunger by supporting more than 500 food banks across the country. Food Banks Canada initiates numerous food and fundraisers to help food banks meet the needs of their communities. When you see these events, know that your participation will make a difference right here at home!
National initiatives we are involved with include: Every Plate Full, Catelli Feed the Hope, Corus Feeds Kids, Hunger Awareness Week, Walmart Fight Hunger, Spark Change, Loblaw’s, Subway, After the Bell, and Campbells Help Hunger Disappear.
How You Can Help
Donate Food
Help create a healthy meal by donating our most needed items.
Donate Funds
Donate funds securely online, by mail or in person.
Volunteer
Donate your time. Volunteers are our lifeblood.
Host an event
Get creative and engage your community, host a fundraiser.