What is City-Wide?
City-Wide is our biggest food drive of the year. It takes place during September, when the back-to-school season is putting financial stress on families. Every year, we collaborate with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to collect several hundred thousand of pounds of food, donated by generous community members like you.
In the past, we distributed plastic bag to fill with food donations. This year there will be NO PLASTIC BAGS distributed. Instead, we are asking that you use a reusable bag.
We decided this method would cut down on waste, while giving participants a chance to get rid of an extra reusable bag or two. They also help us out, as they are what we use to distribute food to our clients.
How Does It Work?
During the week of September 15th over 8,000 volunteers will deliver door hangers throughout select communities* in Calgary.
If you’ve received one of these door hangers, we invite you to:
- Choose a reusable bag that you don’t mind parting with.
- Fill it with non-perishable food items.
- Attach the door hanger to the bag.
- Leave it on your driveway on September 21, at 10:00am.
Volunteers will come to pick up donations by 1:00pm. They will be brought back to the Calgary Food Bank, where they will be distributed to Calgarians in need.
Please note:
- Only bagged items will be collected.
- We will not ring your doorbell to solicit donations.
- Money or cheques will not be collected from your doorstep.
- Your reusable bag(s) will NOT be returned.
Our Sponsors
Did You Know?
In 2008, Calgary held the Guinness Book of World Records status for the ‘largest food drive in 24 hours – single location’ with a total 511,102 pounds of food. The title was taken in 2011 and is currently being held by the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics in Durham, NC, USA with 559,885 pounds. We tried again in 2014 for the food drive’s 10th anniversary and collected 489,570 pounds of food.
neighbourhoods
drop-off locations
volunteers
semi trailers
2023 Fast Facts
volunteers
bags delivered
pounds of food
funds raised ($)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate?
If you live in one of our participating communities and you receive a door hanger, place non-perishable food in a reusable bag on your doorstep or driveway by 10am on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Can I donate funds?
- Yes, and monetary donations are much appreciated.
- To donate by cheque, please make out the cheque to Calgary Food Bank and mail it to 5000 11 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5. Please do not mail cash. Tax receipts will be mailed/emailed 2-3 weeks after the donation is received.
- You can also pay by scanning the QR code on the back of your door hanger.
My donation wasn’t picked up. What should I do?
If your bag is missed, please call or text your address to 587-316-1623 between 1 pm and 4 pm on Saturday, September 21. Leave your bag out, and a volunteer will pick it up in the afternoon. *The phone line will be closed at 4pm.
I didn’t receive a door hanger. Can I still participate?
If you are not in one of the participating communities, you will not receive a door hanger. If you want to donate food, you can fill any shopping bag or a box and bring it to the Calgary Food Bank at 5000 11 St SE between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, September 21.
When will my donation be picked up?
Saturday, September 21 between 10am and 1pm.
Get In Touch
Contact our Community Engagement team at 403-253-2059 Ext. 3 or email