With respect to these unprecedented times, we have taken steps to prioritize supporting the communities we live, work and operate in. Our involvement in such community programs ties in to our vision and values of Commitment, Integrity and Respect.

Many individuals are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 and how it has impacted available resources and funding for basic human necessities. We are honored with the ability to support dedicated programs that guarantee vulnerable families do not become accidental victims of this pandemic and ensure children and youth achieve their full potential through access to healthy, reliable food sources.  As we enter the 2020-2021 school year there is still much uncertainty as to how the school year will evolve. The following community support programs are just a few examples of the partnerships we’ve fostered in both Canada and US at the local and national level. To learn more or offer your support, please visit the organization website included below!

Brown Bag 4 Calgary Kids (BB4CK) – Calgary
Brown Bag for Calgary Kids (BB4CK) mission is to support communities to make sure all kids are fed. BB4CK lunch programs address food scarcity issues and support all children and youth in need across 225+ public, Catholic, and private schools and feed kids from Kindergarten to Grade twelve. Almost 5,000 kids are fed daily and this number grows every day.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes were cancelled across Alberta which tremendously impacted the Brown Bag Program as kids who had previously participated in the lunch program through their school no longer had this support. Kids who accessed free school lunch programs lost a vital nutrition lifeline as for many, these free lunches made up all or part of their daily nutrition. In addition, many parents who needed to work just to make ends meet were forced to stay home, restricting their already limited resources.

In response to the pandemic and the cancellation of classes across Alberta, BB4CK made a significant shift in their program delivery model. To protect the safety of staff, volunteers, and families accessing services, they temporarily closed their kitchen and community group operations and provided grocery gift cards so families could purchase the food they need to care for their kids at home. BB4CK is currently working with Alberta Health Services to safety reopen their kitchen, while also prepared to continue mailing grocery gift cards to families directly.

To learn more about Brown Bag 4 Calgary Kids, please visit their website: www.bb4ck.org

Feeding America – United States
Feeding America’s mission is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage the country in the fight to end hunger.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, 54 million people may face hunger in the U.S. during 2020, of which include more than 18 million children. Millions of children and families living in America face hunger and food insecurity every day and every community in the country is home to families who struggle with food insecurity, including rural and suburban communities. Many of these households do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support. Feeding America supports those in need by providing well established Food Banks based throughout the United States to ensure each community has a safe place with available resources to obtain help when necessary.

To learn more about Feeding America, please visit their website: www.feedingamerica.org