COMMUNITY OWNED. COMMUNITY SUPPORTED. 

Calgary Food Bank

Over the years, The Calgary Food Bank has grown from a small not-for-profit in a church basement run by 4 volunteers, into a million-dollar charitable organization in a 60,000 square foot building with 9,000 volunteers. 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 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 Food shipments that may be turned down by retailers for many reasons such as outdated packaging; unsold product due to consumer shortfalls; as well as items past their best-before dates.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 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.

The Calgary Food Bank is the first line of emergency food support for families and individuals facing crisis. Once the food emergency is addressed, we refer food bank clients to our proven partner agencies and programs. Our deep collaboration and food support to hundreds of other charitable organizations that address the root causes of food insecurity aligns with our mission to work with our community to fight hunger.

We are the city’s main charitable food hub and the most accessible food bank in Calgary serving families, individuals and organizations. We are not a government or United Way agency. We rely solely on the generous support of the community. Together, we fight hunger and its root causes because no one should go hungry.

Our Mission: Together, we fight hunger and its root causes because no one should go hungry.

Our Vision: A hunger-free community.

IT’S TIME WE STAND UP FOR THEM!!‘

The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary 

Welcome to the Veterans Food Bank of Calgary. We exist for the sole purpose of helping our forgotten veterans in any way needed. Too long have the heroes and their families that laid everything on the line for us and in some cases, made the ultimate sacrifice, suffered in silence. 

The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary is a service provided by CALGARY VETERANS SERVICES SOCIETY, founded in August 2018, to serve food security and other resource needs of veterans from Calgary and surrounding area. The Veterans Food Bank of Calgary supports veterans who’ve served in all branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, Reserves and first responders. All are eligible for assistance through these programs.

Founder, Allan Reid, values community service and has volunteered hundreds of hours for many charities in and around Calgary, such as Magic of Christmas, Street Lights, and the Calgary Toy Run. Now, he’s overjoyed to be spearheading this new endeavour.

We are a volunteer-run charitable organization. We are all volunteers – no one takes a wage!

Food Services

Potential clients can call 403-277-8387 with any question, arrange assistance. We strive to restore dignity to all who use our service and assistance is not pre-defined. Clients are able to shop for themselves to ensure they received exactly what they need, and enough to cover 10-14 days of food for their situation.

Hoggin’ Alberta Veterans Ranch

80 acres of land north of Caroline, Alberta is being developed to provide a space for our clients to go and get back to nature mind body and spirit. From building individual cabins to making roads through the area to facilitate safe movement, the development is designed to allow access for hunting, fishing, and camping free of charge for our clients and supporters. 

How We’re Supported

We are supported by caring individuals and businesses in our community and the surrounding area.  We also appreciate the involvement of many educational institutions who are consistently holding food drives.