Calgary City Council Launches Urgent Food Drive for Families

UPDATE: Calgary City Council has launched an urgent initiative to combat food insecurity in the community, ensuring families do not have to choose between meals and holiday gifts. The 37th Annual Mayor’s Christmas Food Drive was kicked off by Mayor Jeromy Farkas on November 22, 2023, and the Councillor’s Challenge has officially begun.

As part of this friendly competition, all council members were seen volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank, helping to bag 11 pallets of potatoes daily. “Through the entire month of December, all of mayor and council will be raising food and funds for the Calgary Food Bank,” said Melissa From, President and CEO of the Calgary Food Bank. This initiative aims to accumulate points for various contributions, with a winner to be announced.

The Calgary Food Bank is a vital resource, currently assisting 800 households every single day. Next week, a new downtown location will open, allowing the organization to extend its reach by welcoming an additional 200 households daily. “This will help us serve the community just a little bit better and make sure food is accessible to everyone in our city,” From stated.

It is important to note that food insecurity and poverty are ongoing challenges, not just seasonal issues. “We are serving 800 households a day, every day. This is not a December inflection point,” From emphasized. As the community approaches 2026, she urges residents to consider their New Year’s resolutions and how they can give back.

The Calgary Food Bank, established 43 years ago, operates entirely on community support without ongoing government funding. “We are entirely funded and supported by the community,” From added. The city’s spirit of generosity is exemplified by the involvement of 300 volunteers daily who contribute their time to assist those in need.

For those interested in helping, donations of food, funds, or time are immensely valuable. For more information on how to contribute or what items are needed, visit calgaryfoodbank.com.

This initiative not only highlights the urgent need for support but also showcases the community’s commitment to helping its most vulnerable members. The Calgary City Council and the Calgary Food Bank are working tirelessly to ensure that everyone has access to food, especially during the holiday season.