Charity Intelligence is a Canadian registered charity, founded to help donors identify which charities most closely align to each donor’s giving priorities. We have a 4-star rating, visit our profile page on their website for more information. The charities that Charity Intelligence rates are based on donor accountability, financial transparency, funding needs and cost-efficiency. This page is an overview of the information we are graded on.
Fund Contribution Sources
PLEASE REFER TO OUR ANNUAL REPORT FOR OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
- Personal 49%
- Corporations 21%
- Foundations 21%
- Communities 8%
- Grants 1%
Volunteer & Staff
148,104 HOURS OF VOLUNTEERING
3:1 Ratio OF VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF
- Volunteers 60%
- Staff 40%
Food insecurity is a serious health problem in Canada.
Food insecurity is a serious health problem in Canada. It is associated with poorer health, psychological, social, and emotional outcomes. In Alberta, one in ten individuals experience food insecurity, with 17% children living in food insecure households. The existence of food banks is becoming more important as the need for these facilities by families increases. The Calgary Food Bank constantly collecting feedback from our clients, partner agencies, donors, and volunteers. By asking questions and analyzing the responses, the Calgary Food Bank commits to continuous improvement.
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.
Activities
- Emergency Hampers
- Specialty Hampers
- Homeless Hampers
- Weekends and More
- Milk Program
- Food Link
- Food Rescue
- Regional Distribution
Emergency Food Hampers
OUTPUTS
Emergency hampers provide clients in temporary emergency situations with one week’s worth of food and referrals to outside organizations. Food is provided to low-income and food insecure Calgarians. We connect clients with community resources that can address the underlying issues of food insecurity. 25% of clients are referred to other community agencies.
- Clients who indicated feeling tense or stressed out at least once or twice daily. 60%
- Clients are referred to other community agencies. 25%
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Relieving food insecurity and providing support for clients who are experiencing emergency situations. Alleviate the stress of wondering where the next meal is coming from.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
"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 CFB 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."
2017/2018
| Hampers provided | 66,204 |
| Referrals to agencies | 13,317 |
| Unique clients | 65,604 |
| Unique clients under 18 |
24,608 |
| Clients helped by agencies* |
24,209 |
| Money saved** |
$17,333,460 |
2016/2017
| Hampers provided | 68,084 |
| Referrals to agencies | 7,704 |
| Unique clients | 68,516 |
| Unique clients under 18 |
24,162 |
| Clients helped by agencies* |
36,269 |
| Money saved** |
$19,570,089 |
2015/2016
| Hampers provided | 65,419 |
| Referrals to agencies | 7,920 |
| Unique clients | 67,891 |
| Unique clients under 18 |
24,480 |
| Clients helped by agencies* |
22,859 |
| Money saved** |
$17,113,150 |
* 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 $180, Blue $270, Green $315, Purple $630, Orange $270 and Baby $50.
Specialty Food Hampers
OUTPUTS
Specialty hampers are food hampers that are tailored to special circumstances, including infant and prenatal; celiac, renal, and welcome home hampers. This allows food insecure clients with dietary restrictions can access the Emergency Hamper program. The Calgary Food Bank collaborates with Alberta Health Services to determine an appropriate hamper content in order to meet medical dietary restrictions.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Relieving food insecurity and providing support for clients who are experiencing emergency situations. Alleviate the stress of wondering where the next meal is coming from. Clients with special dietary needs are able to access food resources.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
TYPES OF HAMPERS
From 2013-2015 there were 4 types of specialty hampers, celiac, welcome home, pre-natal and infant. In 2016, renal hampers were added to the program.
- Celiac
- Renal
- Welcome Home / Pantry
- Pre-natal
- Infant
2017/2018
| Types of specialty hampers | 5 |
| Hampers distributed | 12,997 |
2016/2017
| Types of specialty hampers | 5 |
| Hampers distributed | 13,099 |
2015/2016
| Types of specialty hampers | 5 |
| Hampers distributed | 6,478 |
Hampers for the Homeless
OUTPUTS
The Calgary Food Bank collaborates with 17 non-profit agencies that are working with the homeless population. We supply those agencies with homeless hampers, allowing the agencies to focus on their programming. The hampers contain 2 to 3 days of ready to eat food, supplying those living rough with a food source. Homeless individuals are connected with service providers.
“It helps to provide food to the hard to reach homeless and get connected to CMHA resources.”
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Supplying nutrition to those living rough and may not have another source of food.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
"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. "
Homelessness puts a strain on both taxpayers and various social agencies costing the Canadian economy $7 Billion annually due to the cost of emergency shelters, social services, health care, and correction.
- The Homeless Hub
On a given night, 3,430 Calgarians experience homelessness.
- The Calgary Homeless Foundation
Aboriginal people are over-represented in the homeless population. They make 3% of the Calgary population but make 20% of its homeless population.
2017/2018
| Number of agencies | 15 |
| Number of bags distributed | 14,080 |
| Money saved* | $450,560 |
2016/2017
| Number of agencies | 15 |
| Number of bags distributed | 14,109 |
| Money saved* | $451,770 |
2015/2016
| Number of agencies | 17 |
| Number of bags distributed | 15,981 |
| Money saved* | $655,221 |
* Dollar value of hamper savings, allowing agencies focus on their programming rather than outsourcing food.
Weekends and More
OUTPUTS
Food insecure children are provided with kid-friendly bags of food, given out by teachers, to support them over the weekends.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Meet the immediate hunger needs of food insecure children and reduce the occurrence of teachers paying for food for students. Teachers can focus on education instead of sourcing food. The most food insecure children are properly identified and provided with food. Reported by teachers, overall improvement in class participation, academic performance, and concentration for children in the program.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
"Thank you for having a program to support our students. It really makes a difference for students and families."
Teachers saw a tremendous amount or quite a bit of improvement in the following areas:
- IMPROVED ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE 59%
- IMPROVED CLASS PARTICIPATION 79%
- IMPROVED CONCENTRATION 81%
2017/2018
| Number of bags distributed | 8,621 |
| Number of schools | 10 |
2016/2017
| Number of bags distributed | 8,710 |
| Number of schools | 10 |
2015/2016
| Number of bags distributed | 5,059 |
| Number of schools | 10 |
Milk Program
OUTPUTS
Bulk milk is provided to agencies for distribution and provided to pregnant or nursing mothers, and children as part of the Emergency Hamper Program. Families with children receive extra milk.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Pregnant or nursing mothers receive daily recommended intake or milk or alternatives. All children are provided with milk according to Canada’s Food Guide, receiving the nutrients to sustain their growth and development. Agencies that are working with pre-school children and / or pregnant and nursing women receive milk from the Food Link program, and are not refused due to capacity limit.
NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES (2017/2018)
12 Non-profit and charitable agencies working with pre-school children and/or nursing and pregnant women (includes both Children’s Milk and Food Link agencies).
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
Families with children receive extra milk.
"This program has been a great support to our agency. It helps the mothers and children in our program with their daily dairy and calcium needs.”
2017/2018
| Number of 2L milk cartons given out | 14,970 |
| Families with children receive extra milk. | 28,932 |
| Children receive nutrients to sustain their growth and development.* | 2% Milk 47,582 3% Milk 14,970 |
| Pregnant and nursing women receive milk.*** |
2% Milk 3,640 3% Milk 10,855 |
| Agencies working with pre-school children, pregnant and nursing women. | 12 |
2016/2017
| Number of 2L milk cartons given out | 10,805 |
| Families with children receive extra milk. | 27,692 |
| Children receive nutrients to sustain their growth and development.* | 2% Milk 46,934 3% Milk 16,070 |
| Pregnant and nursing women receive milk.*** |
2% Milk 2,400 |
| Agencies working with pre-school children, pregnant and nursing women. | 20 |
2015/2016
| Number of 2L milk cartons given out | 12,000 |
| Families with children receive extra milk. | 30,933 |
| Children receive nutrients to sustain their growth and development.* | 2% Milk 79,443 3% Milk 15,791 |
| Children receive nutrients to sustain their growth and development.* |
2% Milk 10,449 3% Milk 11,305 |
| Agencies working with pre-school children, pregnant and nursing women. | 25 |
* Cartons of milk distributed through the emergency hamper program.
**Milk distributed to agencies, through Food Link, that are working with children and/or pregnant and nursing women.
Food Link
OUTPUTS
Bulk food and supplies are provided to partner agencies. Provide food and non-food items to non-profit and charitable organizations.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Support organizations by absorbing or diverting agencies’ food and supplies cost, agencies can focus on meeting the needs of the community instead of sourcing food. Money saved can be relocated to sustain existing programs or launch new programs.
Re-distribute excessive amounts of certain items to other agencies which results in reduced food waste. Ability to keep up with the demand of the programs and not refusing agencies due to capacity limit.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
“If we had to source food, we would have to relinquish other important supports. If not for the 2,700 pounds of food we receive for our Youth Culinary Arts program, we would be limited in hiring counsellors who provide support alongside these young people as they train for employment. The program and our staff are critical in helping to build our client’s confidence, work ethic , job and life skills- all with the intent of helping them find healthy independent living.”
2017/2018
| Number of programs* | 239 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 2,583,603 |
| Money saved** | $5,167,206 |
2016/2017
| Number of programs* | 228 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 2,960,925 |
| Money saved** | $5,921,849 |
2015/2016
| Number of programs* | 215 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 2,983,232 |
| Money saved** | $5,966,464 |
* Number of programs that access the Food Link in a given year.
** Dollar value of food distributed.
Food Rescue
OUTPUTS
Rescuing viable food from retailers which would be otherwise thrown out. The Calgary Food Bank re-distributes rescued food to clients, non-profit agencies, charitable organizations and other Food Banks.
SHORT-TERM OUTCOMES
Reducing waste and increasing supply of goods available for Calgary Food Bank programming. Food is distributed in a more efficient way resulting in reduced food waste and increased purchasing power. The pounds of food re-distributed should ideally should equal to pounds of food rescued.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a hunger-free community.
2017/2018
| Number of food industry partners* | 372 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 9,413,188 |
| Value of food rescued** | $18,399,119 |
2016/2017
| Number of food industry partners* | 358 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 7,176,575 |
| Value of food rescued** | $12,210,673 |
2015/2016
| Number of food industry partners* | 434 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 4,838,047 |
| Value of food rescued** | $9,676,094 |
*Food industry partners include retailers, wholesalers, producers, vendors and transportation companies.
** Dollar value of food rescued.
Regional Distribution
OUTPUTS
The Calgary Food Bank provides food to other Food Banks and charities across the Alberta and Canada. Emergency food and supplies are delivered to other Food Banks across Alberta. Supply additional resources to areas in Canada which are in need. Sharing bulk food with members of Food Banks Alberta based on their capacity and support regional partners by re-distributing food.
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 food insecure clients. The Calgary Food Bank re-distributes excessive amounts of certain items to other agencies which results in reduced food waste.
LONG-TERM OUTCOMES
Creating a
hunger-free community.
2017/2018
| Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) | 36 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 2,344,281 |
| Dollar value of food distributed* | $4,688,562 |
2016/2017
| Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) | 32 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 2,800,664 |
| Dollar value of food distributed* | $5,601,328 |
2015/2016
| Number of beneficiaries (Food Banks) | over 35 |
| Pounds of food distributed | 3,130,689 |
| Dollar value of food distributed* | $6,261,378 |
* 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.
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.