Charity Intelligence

Charity Intelligence was founded to help donors identify which charities most closely align to their giving priorities. They rate non-profit organizations based on donor accountability, financial transparency, funding needs and cost-efficiency. Calgary Food Bank has an A+ and 5-star rating, and were included in the Top 10 Canadian Impact Charities of 2022. This page is an overview of the information we are graded on. 

Household Food Insecurity is an important determinant of health, and it is associated with poorer health and negative psychological, social, and emotional outcomes. Household Food Insecurity is defined as inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints. According to Statistics Canada’s Canadian Income Survey, Alberta experienced the highest prevalence of Household Food Insecurity (20.3%) by province in 2021. This accounts for one in five households that are experiencing food insecurity. In a time where so many families are struggling to make ends meet, the existence of food banks is becoming increasingly more important. With the vision of “A hunger-free community”, The Calgary Food Bank is fighting against hunger and food insecurity by providing immediate assistance as well as addressing the root causes of the problem.  

For a comprehensive look at our program financials, please refer to our audits.  

General Information

Volunteer & Staff

104,344 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING

  • Staff 61% 61%
  • Volunteers 39% 39%

Fund Contribution Sources

  • Personal (51%) 51% 51%
  • Corporations (21%) 21% 21%
  • Foundations (22%) 22% 22%
  • Communities (6%) 6% 6%

ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES

$43.9 MILLION SPENT ON PROGRAMMING

  • Emergency Food Hampers $36.4M (83%) 83% 83%
  • Food Link $2.3M (5%) 5% 5%
  • Food Share $2.2M (5%) 5% 5%
  • Mobile Hampers $1.4M (3%) 3% 3%
  • Purchasing Power $807,000 (2%) 2% 2%
  • Weekends and More $512,000 (1%) 1% 1%
  • Welcome Home $128,000 (.29%) .29% .29%

Emergency Food Hampers

PROGRAM DISCUSSION

The Emergency Food Hamper Program aims to achieve the Calgary Food Bank’s vision of a hunger-free community and attempts to address hunger and food insecurity as the program provides food and community supports to qualified clients​.  

An Emergency Food Hamper is a collection of food items providing 7 to ten days’ worth of food to clients based on the household size. Besides regular hampers, we also provide five speciality hampers based on age and dietary restrictions (Baby Hampers, Birthday Party Kits, Celiac Hampers, Prenatal Hampers, and Renal Hampers). Hamper content is determined based on Canada’s Food Guide recommendations and food categories included in it are fruits and vegetables, protein, whole grains, and others. We strive to provide nutritious hampers.  

CAUSES Food insecurity in Canada is directly related with financial constraints. Increasing cost of living and food prices in Canada is escalating the financial pressure on individuals and households and pushing them into food insecure situations. HungerCount 2022 data [1] demonstrated that the number of people visiting food banks in Alberta increased by 73% since 2019, explaining the highest prevalence of food insecurity in the province.  

EFFECTS There are several negative outcomes related to food insecurity, including poor physical and mental health, and increased risk of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart issues, etc.), which creates a burden on the Canadian health care system.

WHO IS AFFECTED The Emergency Food Hamper Program is designed for individuals or households that cannot access food due to financial constraints.

[1] HungerCount2022, From a Storm to a Hurricane, FoodBanks Canada  

OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

Emergency Food Hampers program provides food to low-income and food insecure Calgarians. Along with a hamper containing one week’s worth of food, clients are also provided with the option to participate in a survey to determine referrals to outside organizations based on their situation and needs. We connect clients with community resources that can address the underlying causes of food insecurity. While 29% of EFH clients were referred to Calgary Food Bank by partner organizations only4% of clients were referred out to the network of partner organizations. 

GOALS The goals for the program are to be within plus or minus 10%, in the coming fiscal year. The goal of number of hampers distributed in 2021/22 exceeded this target due to increased demand in our community. Goals for money saved and clients helped by agencies were exceeded. Our goal for referring to agencies was not met, however it increased significantly since last year with our new and client focused referral out process and it is expected to continue to increase as it becomes more convenient for the clients to access.

As COVID-19 pandemic reached its one-year mark early 2021, the EFH program continued to provide unlimited hampers to clients every 10 days. As the demand for EFH hampers has increased, we continued to modify our operations and increased the daily capacity up to 500 hampers/day. The purpose was to provide emergency assistance to all those affected by food crisis. In this fiscal year, the Calgary Food Bank distributed the largest number of hampers to the largest volume of clients in its history. Large hamper demands were in tandem with long wait times for clients to receive hampers.  However, exceptions were accepted by staff and volunteers for those clients with emergency food need during the long waiting period. Additionally, the changes that had been introduced in response to COVID-19 related to the hamper distribution methods, we continued to follow the same outdoor drive-thru distribution model, followed by improved online booking platforms for clients’ convenience. In the last quarter, main location was being renovated and so all the distribution shifted to occur off the dock. Many roadblocks were identified during the transition process, but they were handled seamlessly by staff and volunteers. These adaptations have been successful in accommodating more clients’ requests.  

To address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity, before COVID-19 pandemic, the Calgary Food Bank volunteers used to provide agency referral outs by going through a resource binder and selecting a relevant organization for the client. This was not a well-structured process. During COVID-19 pandemic, the referrals were not given out actively due to some agency closures. Hence, after one year of COVID-19 pandemic, Research and Client Services (R&CS) began to explore re-introducing agency referrals. The purpose was to have a structured process of providing community resources to clients based on their situation. Through closer partnership with agencies, the department was able to build back a better referral processes through improved training, data-informed referrals, improved information navigation and improved quality assurance measures. The new referral-out project was initiated on 4th April 2021 and a total of 2475 clients were referred-out in the fiscal year 2021-2022.  

We are projecting for 2023/24, the number of Emergency Hampers distributed to be between 117,615 and 174,239. 

We are projecting for 2023/24, the number of referrals to agencies to be between 5,500 and 7,400. 

We are projecting for 2023/24 the money saved to be between $31,000,000 million and $36,000,000 million. 

We are projecting for 2023/24 the clients helped by agencies to be between 27,000 and 30,000. 

SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES Relieving food insecurity and providing support for clients who are living with food insecurity. Alleviate the stress of wondering where the next meal is coming from.

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES Creating a hunger-free community.

 

Descriptions and definitions

UNIQUE CLIENTS
This is calculated by counting all members of the household only once, irrespective of their number of visits to the program.

REFERRALS TO AGENCIES
A referral out is where a client, calling into the Calgary Food Bank, is provided with information about community supports that can help address their underlying root cause of food insecurity. Clients may receive a referral at anytime they call our call centre, they do not necessarily have to book an hamper in order to receive a referral to an agency.

CLIENTS HELPED BY AGENCIES
A critical part of the Emergency Food Hamper program’s theory is that the clients build connections and receive referrals to available community services for their needs.

MONEY SAVED
Clients are asked how they use the money saved by accessing the Emergency Food Hamper program. Based on the responses, a majority of clients use the money to pay their bills. The second most common response is spending money on rent and additional food. They also use this money for expenditures related to their children, health care, and transportation. Despite this, there is a large section of clients that do not have any spare money to spend on any other expenses. They come to the food bank in situations where they have absolutely no money and need food. This reinforces the theory that the population that accesses food banks are the extremely food insecure segment of the population. These clients use their funds on their fundamental physiological needs such as shelter.

2021/22
Hampers provided 112,294
Unique clients 68,794
Unique clients under 18 24,822
Clients referred to agencies 2,037
Clients helped by agencies* 35,746
Agencies/programs receiving referrals from the Food Bank 89
Agencies/programs sending referrals to the Food Bank 289
Money saved** $30,569,325

 

 

AGE BREAKDOWN
  • Female Children 34% 34%
  • Female Adults 66% 66%
  • Male Children 38% 38%
  • Male Adults 62% 62%
Female Male Agender
Under 36 Months 2,210 2,167 2
Age 3-12 6,961 7,412 21
Age 13-17 2,863 3,158 27
Age 18-64 21,979 19,174 110
Age 65+ 1,372 1,328 0
2020/21
Hampers provided 88,177
Unique clients 55,300
Unique clients under 18 20,209
Clients referred to agencies 449
Clients helped by agencies* 21,942
Agencies/programs receiving referrals from the Food Bank 75
Agencies/programs sending referrals to the Food Bank 324
Money saved** $30,931,059

 

AGE BREAKDOWN
  • Female Children 35% 35%
  • Female Adults 65% 65%
  • Male Children 39% 39%
  • Male Adults 61% 61%
Female Male Agender
Under 36 Months 1,779  2,211  1
Age 3-12 5,637  6,047  7
Age 13-17 2,362  2,529  13
Age 18-64 17,373  15,566  72
Age 65+ 1,045  1,035  0

 

2019/20
Hampers provided 67,879
Unique clients 67,734
Unique clients under 18 24,668
Clients referred to agencies 6,329
Clients helped by agencies* 28,898
Agencies/programs receiving referrals from the Food Bank 344
Agencies/programs sending referrals to the Food Bank 392
Money saved** $24,946,147

 

AGE BREAKDOWN
  • Female Children 35% 35%
  • Female Adults 65% 65%
  • Male Children 38% 38%
  • Male Adults 62% 62%
Female Male Agender
Under 36 Months 2,323  2,316  1
Age 3-12 6,887  7,364  8
Age 13-17 2,790  2,975  4
Age 18-64 21,176  19,540  34
Age 65+ 1,178  1,138  0

 

LEARNINGS

  • As a response to client feedback, and to better support clients, we continued distributing hampers with the drive-thru distribution model.  
  • Modifications to daily capacity were made throughout the year based on observed increases in demand. 

 

“Thank you very, very much. I think about the people who donate and the people who organize and distribute the food, and I feel so grateful. You have removed a whole lot of stress from my life. I feel so secured and cared for when my cupboards and fridge are full, as they are today because I picked up my food hamper. Words are not enough, but that is what I’m offering the food bank through this survey. You all have made such a difference for me to carry on today. I continue to look for work knowing I have your support and that I have enough to eat.”
- Food Bank Client

* Clients being helped by other agencies is the number of hampers referred to the Food Bank from other agencies.
**Money saved can be used to pay off debt, pay for rent, utilities, medical bills, childcare, etc. The money saved includes all emergency hampers and baby hampers. The estimated value of each hamper is as follows: Pink $205, Blue $368, Green $511, Purple $716, Orange $880 and Baby $65.

Mobile Hampers

PROGRAM DISCUSSION

The Mobile Hamper Program provides ready-to-eat, shelf stable food* for the short-term relief of hunger to people experiencing homelessness, at risk of experiencing homelessness, or otherwise impoverished populations. [*requiring minimal/no preparation or refrigeration] 

The primary goal of Mobile Hamper program is to provide short-term hunger relief to clients and create a connection between clients and partner organizations that can help with the underlying cause of their food insecurity. This program also helps agencies free up time and resources spent on food acquisition that can be used towards programming to address clients’ root causes of food/housing insecurity. 

CAUSES Homelessness is described by the Canadian Observatory on Homelessnessas the situation of an individual or household without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect, means and ability of acquiring it. [1]

EFFECTS The need for this program remains crucial as the homeless population is disproportionately affected by food insecurity and lack of food [2].

WHO IS AFFECTED The population experiencing homelessness and partner organizations that support and distribute to a population experiencing homelessness. 

Since the Mobile Hamper Program does not directly connect with the target population, we rely on reporting by the agencies accessing the program to evaluate the impact. According to the reporting by the agencies, the largest segment of the target population that received hampers are categorized as un-sheltered or absolutely homeless and living on the streets or in places not intended for human habitation. 

[1] Barr, C., Friesen, A., Hill, C., Kovacs-Burns, K., Pauly, B., Turner, A., & Marsolais, A. (2012). Canadian Definition of Homelessness. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press. 
[2] Parpouchi, M., Moniruzzaman, A., Russolillo, A., & Somers, J. M. (2016). Food insecurity among homeless adults and mental illness. PLoS ONE, 11, e0159334. 

OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

The Mobile Hamper Program addresses food insecurity by providing short-term relief of hunger to those experiencing homelessness. The root causes of long-term hunger are also addressed as clients are given hampers by organizations which provide support for individuals experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Food acts as a connector and allows partner organizations to work with individuals to transition them out of homelessness. This program reduces poverty by relieving some financial and mental strain on those experiencing homelessness and allowing individuals to use the funds and resources to move into a stable shelter situation. We collaborate with 11 partner organizations that are working with the population experiencing homelessness. 

GOALS The goals for the program are to be within 10%, plus or minus in the coming fiscal year. 

The amount of food distributed in 2021/22 was within the target. The measurement of the food distributed was changed from number of hampers to pounds of food halfway through the Fiscal Year. While this was a necessary change to improve accuracy, it made the comparison to previous years challenging. In the 2021/22 Fiscal Year 208,000 lbs of food was distributed to partner agencies. Through this distribution, the program potentially saved $610,702 for its partner organizations. 

FUTURE PROJECTIONS For 2022/23 Fiscal Year, we are projecting Mobile Hamper program to distribute between 212,000 lbs and 228,800 lbs of food We are projecting for 2022/23 the money saved to be between $615,800 and $682,675. 

SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES Supplying nutrition to those experiencing homelessness and may not have another source of food.

LONG-TERM OUTCOMES Creating a hunger-free community.

     

    On a given night, 3,430 Calgarians experience homelessness.

    – The Calgary Homeless Foundation

    What's in a Hamper?
    Hampers contain ready to eat, shelf stable food for the short-term relief of hunger to people living rough. They contain 1 to 2 days food, and a hamper typically contains the following content:
    ▪ Canned meat (2)
    ▪ Canned soup (2)
    ▪ Dry soup (2)
    ▪ Fruit/pudding (4)
    ▪ Juice/drinks (2)
    ▪ Oatmeal (6)
    ▪ Snacks (1)
    ▪ Bag of cutlery and napkins (1)
    2021/22
    Number of agencies 14
    Number of bags distributed 24,614
    Money saved* $1,045,110 
    2020/21
    Number of agencies 12
    Number of bags distributed 29,281
    Money saved* $1,086,325

     

    2019/2020
    Number of agencies 12
    Number of bags distributed 24,579
    Money saved* $737,370

    * Dollar value of hamper savings, allowing agencies focus on their programming rather than outsourcing food.

    LEARNINGS

    • Fresh fruits, soft to eat food, and hygiene items are highly valued by the target population and the partner organizations. We continue to provide a selection of these items as well as other desired options based on feedback from the partner organizations.  
    • Switching to bulk food allowed us to be more flexible to meet the preferences of different organizations based on their clients’ needs. The majority of our partner organizations now pick up bulk orders rather than pre-packed hampers.  
    • The program name was changed from formerly Hampers for the Homeless to Mobile Hampers in 2022. 

     

    “I was homeless for almost 4 years, during that time I was thankful for the homeless hampers that you provided. I lived at the YWCA for 2 years 9 months and I’m now in my own apartment. It wouldn’t be possible without all the help that I’ve been given and continue to receive. ”
    - Food Bank Client

    Food Share

    PROGRAM DISCUSSION

    The Food Share program aims to achieve the CFB’s vision of a hunger-free community through the redistribution of food and supplies to food banks that further provide it to food insecure populations. Through the Food Share program, the Calgary Food Bank extends its reach beyond the community of Calgary, supporting its neighboring communities and provinces to move towards food security. Food Share partner organizations are primarily located in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, however, the furthest distance the Food Share program has reached is Toronto, Ontario. 

    CAUSES Household food insecurity is a growing concern in Canada where 15.9% of the households in ten provinces experienced some level of food insecurity [1] Rural food banks in Canada, due to their remote locations, have higher food transportation costs and fewer donations.

    EFFECTS It is challenging for the food banks to maintain adequate food supply for their clients. 

    WHO IS AFFECTED Food banks in need of support to provide for their food insecure clients.

    Alberta Food Banks

    Ontario Food Banks

    [1] Tarasuk V, Li T, Fafard St-Germain AA. (2022) Household food insecurity in Canada, 2021. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). Retrieved from https://proof.utoronto.ca/ 

    OUTPUTS AND OUTCOMES

    The National and Regional Food Share Programs work to distribute perishable and non-perishable products to food banks in need of food supplies across Canada. This allows food banks to maintain food supply for their clients while food waste is reduced. Food Share program distributed 1,852,582 lbs of food to 32 food banks in Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario in Fiscal Year 2021/22. 95% of food distributed through Food Share program is non-perishable and 5% is perishable.  

    The Food Share Program typically distributes 450,000 pounds of food per quarter. However as od December 2022, the program was put on hold due to a supply shortage. Q1 and Q2 orders were delivered at an average of 443,000 lbs. Q3 and Q4 numbers are expected to be lower than a regular quarter. 

    GOALS The goals for the program are to be within 10%, plus or minus in the coming fiscal year. However due to the supply shortage and the modifications to the Food Share Program, we are projecting for 2022/23 to distribute between 900,000 lbs and 1,200,000 lbs of food through the Foos Share Program. 

    SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES By collaborating with other food banks and charities, we ensure that emergency food and supplies are delivered where they are needed most, reaching more clients experiencing food insecurity. By redistributing excessive amounts of certain items to other agencies we are also reducing food waste.

    LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

    Creating a
    hunger-free community.

    FOOD SHARED

    Below is a list of the food categories that are distributed.

    • Vegetable and fruit: 23.26% 
    • Dairy: 21.62% 
    • Canned and prepared food: 21.46% 
    • Grains (bread and cereal): 7.09% 
    • Proteins (meat and eggs): 6.67% 
    • Drinks (coffee, tea, pop, water): 6.41% 
    • Baking and condiments: 6.40% 
    • Snacks: 5.88% 
    • Specialty (celiac, baby): 0.87%
    2021/2022
    Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) 32
    Pounds of food distributed 1,852,582
    Dollar value of food distributed* $4,816,713
    2020/21
    Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) 31
    Pounds of food distributed 1,814,796
    Dollar value of food distributed* $4,718,469

     

    2019/2020
    Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) 30
    Pounds of food distributed 2,361,823
    Dollar value of food distributed* $6,140,740

     

    * By collaborating with other food banks and charities, we ensure that emergency food and supplies are delivered where they needed most reaching more food insecure clients. Dollar value of food distributed through regional share.

    LEARNINGS

    We have participated in numerous program evaluation activities, leading to several learnings. 

    • We need to determine the definition of this program and its target population. 
    • Reviewing the program’s Performance Measurement Strategy highlighted the importance of beneficiary food banks’ feedback to evaluate the Food Share Program. 

    The following changes are required based on these learnings.

    • A definition for the Food Share Program and target population needs to be determined. This will maintain consistent messaging internally and externally and keeps the program aligned with the Calgary Food Bank’s mission. 
    • Operational changes are required to collect feedback from beneficiary Food Banks. 
    “It’s like Christmas when the Calgary Food Bank truck arrives. We never know exactly what we’ll get, but it’s always amazing. You supply stuff we don’t normally receive, and we are able to direct the food to people we might not normally be able to support. Ethnic foods, ‘fun foods’ such as taco kits and chunky soups find their way into hungry tummies in the Creston Valley area thanks to you.”
    - Bobbi-Jo Faye Creston Valley Gleaners Society

    Presents data to readers that uses standardized or common metrics to assess key program outputs. The charity may either present the metrics in the format used to report their metrics to the government, ministry, foundation, coalition, or other standards – setting organization, or may make the explicit claim that its metrics are based on such standards, without providing documentation.

    In the spirit of reconciliation, the Calgary Food Bank acknowledges that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

    Calgary Food Bank
    MAIN LOCATION (WAREHOUSE)

    5000 11 Street SE
    Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5

    FOOD LINK

    By appointment only
    Monday to Friday: 8:00 am – 11:00 am

    Donation Centre, Door 7

    Monday to Thursday: 8:00 am – 7:30 pm
    Friday and Saturday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

    CALL TO REQUEST A HAMPER
    403-253-2055

    Monday to Thursday: 8:15 am – 7:00 pm
    Friday: 8:15 am – 4:00 pm

    HAMPER PICK-UP at
    CALGARY FOOD BANK warehouse

    By appointment only.

     

    Administration
    ANNEX HOURS

    Monday to Thursday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
    Friday: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm

    ANNEX LOCATION

    5020 12A Street SE
    Calgary, AB T2G 5K9

    CONTACT

    Main line: 403-253-2059
    info@calgaryfoodbank.com

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