COMMUNITY OWNED AND SUPPORTED

As we look back on the hundreds of campaigns, events and engagement opportunities this past year, it is amazing to see how the community finds ways to tackle food insecurity through us. From children collecting their allowance to private events there is no limit to the ways Calgarians are supporting one another.

1,004 Events raised $4.16 million and 1.26 million pounds of food    

This includes the business sector, who, as the pandemic lifts, are coming back together and giving their time and resources. One such organization is Calgary Corporate Challenge, a non-profit group that promotes philanthropy through community participation. They connect local charity partners with local businesses to provide support through their annual Charity Challenge.  

The Calgary Food Bank has been a charity partner for 18 years, and to date, more than 80 businesses have supported us with food, funds and supplies, such as diapers, totaling $564,277. Companies of all sizes volunteer with us as part of the many Corporate Challenge initiatives. When they see first-hand the impact they are making with their time; many come back to continue to help. 

“This partnership embodies the value and commitment we have to building a strong and inclusive local business community here in Calgary. Our participating members are inspired by the difference they can make, and we in turn are consistently humbled by the engagement and support we see for the Food Bank year after year,” says Jacquie Li. Program Manager at Calgary Corporate Challenge. 

Another like-minded group that brings over 40 tech companies together to give back to the local community is YYC Tech Gives. An initiative that started in 2010, YYC Tech Gives has donated more than $1.8 million to the food bank.  Their annual SPAM Cup event has evolved into a coveted competitive event with 78 people participating in the sorting challenge, rallying the teams or friendly jeering.  

Dani Finch, Director Marketing & Communications at Arcurve and YYCTech volunteer explains, “We started YYC Tech Gives in 2010 to bring together technology companies in Calgary to give back to our community in a local, tangible and focused way. By joining together, we have a larger presence and a stronger voice and are able to make a bigger impact to benefit the Food Bank. Not only do we bring the community together to do something positive, we are also having fun while we do it. Our annual event, the SPAM Cup, is a way for participants to team-build and network with other companies who also feel strongly about giving back. To date, we have more than 50 companies participating annually and together we have raised more than $2 million for the Calgary Food Bank – an achievement we are incredibly proud of!”   

Partnerships like these are great examples of bringing the business community together for fun, at the same time as understanding the incredible need and the difference they make.