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 1st, 2023 to August 30th, 2024
Number of satellite locations
Number of satellite volunteers
Food Link Partners
Our History
The Calgary Food Bank was founded in 1982 by a group of concerned faith leaders and was originally operated out of a church basement by just a handful of volunteers. Today, it is a multi-million dollar charitable organization with a staff of over 100, 163 volunteer shifts a day and 2 working warehouses.
The need for food support in the 1980s was an emerging issue in Calgary as Alberta experienced severe economic downturn due to the collapsing price of oil. Thousands of oil field workers found themselves out of a job, and many went on to declare bankruptcy. The Calgary Food Bank was there to make sure that people in these types of situations did not have to go hungry.
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 reasons like outdated packaging or being past their best-before date were accepted by the Calgary Food Bank and distributed to clients. This food was perfectly usable, fit for consumption and allowed us to fill pantries instead of landfills.
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 could not be sold to create a safe supply of nutritious food for clients and charities.
By 2013, 82% of the food collected came from the food industry partnerships.
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic marked a great period of change for the Calgary Food Bank. Social interactions had to be limited and done from afar as much as possible to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. To comply with these measures, a drive through model of distribution was created. In the past, clients would wait in an in-person lineup to check in and receive their hamper. The changes that were made allowed clients to remain in their vehicle, with volunteers bringing their hamper outside to be loaded into their vehicle. This model was made permanent even after the pandemic was over because of the positive feedback it received.
In 2024 the distribution model was changed again to allow for greater client choice. Instead of receiving a standard, predetermined roster of food, clients are awarded points to spend in each category of item based on the number of people in their household. This method of distribution suits the dietary, cultural and religious needs of clients more sufficiently.
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.