Events
City-Wide Food DriveWhen it comes to neighbors helping neighbors, the City-Wide Food Drive
really is a true community event! The City-Wide Food Drive happens every September.
City wide food drive
Coming to a door step near you
The Fall can be a stressful time of year for many, from worrying about back-to-school expenses to seeing increased lighting and heating costs. At the Food Bank we are still experiencing high demand with many finding they are in need of emergency food support as they continue to reel from the economic downturn. That is why thousands of volunteers come together each year for the City-Wide Food Drive. For one week every September, they deliver hundreds of thousands of donation bags to the front doors of homes across the city. Generous Calgarians then fill those bags with healthy, nutritional, and much needed non-perishable food that is picked up by the volunteers.
Thank You
Our Sponsors
City-wide food drive
Did you know?
neighbourhoods
drop-off locations
volunteers
semi trailers
City-Wide Food Drive
It’s a family affair
For the Clark and Anderson families, three generations of family members have volunteered for the past 10 years. “We’ve gone with our grandchildren a couple of times, and it was great!” says Judy Clark. “We drove, and they ran and collected the bags. Sometimes folks were so generous, it took three kids to collect the bags from a single house, and that really impressed the kids! It was a joy to establish a family tradition with them of helping our communities.” The Clark’s 8 year old grandson Erik Anderson says, “I think about how people will like all the good food, and how they’d be happy to see all the kinds of foods!” Big sister Lauryn adds, “Everyone collects so much food, and then we fill semi-trucks full of food, and it really adds up. It must make such a difference.”
Did You know?
2019 Fast Facts
volunteers
bags delivered
pounds of food
funds raised ($)
What you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate?
Bags will be delivered to single family homes across the City of Calgary from September 14 to 18, 2020. Look for your bag and fill it with non-perishable food items. Place the bag in a visible location on your front step or front walk on September 19, 2019 by 10 am. A volunteer will pick up your bag on Saturday, September 19 between 11 am and 1 pm.
What time will my bag be picked up?
Place the bag in a visible location on your front step or front walk on September 19, 2020 by 10 am. A volunteer will pick up your bag on Saturday, September 19 between 11 am and 1 pm.
My bag wasn’t picked up. What should I do?
Due to the large scale of the Food Drive, donations are occasionally missed – but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need or want your donation! If your bag is missed, please call 587-316-1623 between 1:30 pm and 4 pm on September 19, 2020. Leave your bag out, and a volunteer will pick your bag up in the evening.
Can I donate funds instead of food?
Yes! Should you wish to make an online donation towards the City-Wide Food Drive, you can go to our online fundraising page and click “Donate”. If you wish to mail a cheque, they can be made out to Calgary Food Bank and mailed to 5000 11 St SE, Calgary AB, T2H 2Y5.
I didn’t receive a Food Drive bag. Can I still participate?
Absolutely! If you live in an apartment, condominium or multifamily home and don’t receive a Food Drive bag you can still participate in the City-Wide Food Drive. You can fill any shopping bag or a box and bring it to the Calgary Food Bank at 5000 11 St SE between noon and 5 pm on Saturday, September 19, 2020.
What can I put in the bag?
Please put non-perishable foods such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, jars of baby food, etc. Please do not donate food items that may spoil such as fresh meats or fresh produce as it may be a few days before your donation is sorted and the food will not be able to be used. Visit our wish list to see our most needed items.
The phone line was closed when I called. Now what can I do?
The call centre is open until 4 pm, but you may not have noticed that your bag wasn’t picked up until after 4 pm. Due to the large scale of the Food Drive, donations are occasionally missed – but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need or want your donation! If you are able to, please take your donation to the Calgary Food Bank donation bin at your local grocery store and it will be picked up by the Calgary Food Bank.