Welcoming You Home
The Welcome Home Program provides hampers containing pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items to individuals and families transitioning into housing after experiencing homelessness or unstable housing situations. Working in collaboration with the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, hampers are distributed with essential items to establish a new household. People who are moving into permanent housing often experience food insecurity due to the costs associated with establishing a home.
By working with community partners who are addressing the needs of those transitioning into secure housing, agencies are able to ensure there is access to support and address situations that may create food insecurity. 91% of the clients receiving a Welcome Home hamper also received a food hamper through the Emergency Food Hamper Program. The program is working towards ensuring that food insecurity does not deter progress in maintaining housing.
Community partner (agency) Conditions
- Organizations that move clients into permanent housing and maintain ongoing support are eligible to submit Welcome Home hamper referrals through our online system.
- Hampers are picked up by organizations at the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary and delivered to clients.
- Partner organizations are required to track the number of hampers distributed and to submit quarterly reports.
This program only accepts referrals from approved organizations and are booked through our online referral portal. Welcome Home hampers can be picked up at Community Kitchen Program of Calgary warehouse at 3751 21 Street NE on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:30 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm.
Numbers reflect our fiscal year, September 1, 2023 to June 20, 2024
welcome home hampers
qualified partner organizations
“Most clients are so grateful, they have a lot of challenges and not having to worry about food as they start-out goes a long way to alleviate concerns.” Nordin adds, “I’m going to get real; what really makes a house a home is when the cupboards are filled with supplies and staples and there’s food in the fridge, that is what makes a house a home. It brings comfort and our clients’ stress levels go down. We appreciate the friendship and collaboration we have with the Calgary Food Bank; we truly are in this together.”
Sundae Nordin, Community Kitchen CEO
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the Welcome Home Program?
For more information or to apply for the program, please contact:
Cody Schimpf Program Coordinator
E: cschimpf@calgaryfoodbank.com
P: 403-253-2059 ext. 237
How do I get a Welcome Home hamper?
Welcome Home hampers are booked through our online referral portal. Only workers from approved partner organizations who have made a successful application are able to refer for the program.
Who is eligible for a Welcome Home hamper?
Clients who were experiencing homelessness and have found secure housing through the help of your organization are eligible. The hamper is a one-time support for clients during this transition. Further support for clients in this situation can be made in the form of referrals to our Emergency Food Hamper Program.
Where do I pick-up the Welcome Home hampers?
Welcome Home hampers can be picked up from the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary warehouse (3751 21 Street NE). The hampers can only be picked up Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 10:30 am – 12 pm and 1 – 2:30 pm.
Hampers must be pre-booked through our online referral portal.
What's in a Welcome Home hamper?
Welcome Home hampers provide a selection of pantry staples, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items to support the recipient during their transition to a new home.
Become A Referral Partner
Contact Cody Schimpf by email or call 403-253-2059 ext. 237 to request an application form and receive more details.