At I Can for Kids (iCAN), we know that effective responses to food insecurity require collaboration, advocacy, and a solid understanding of the complex challenges families face. That’s why we partner with numerous frontline agencies with deep and respected connections in their communities. The staff working in these organizations apply their experience and expertise every day to target our grocery gift card program by continually assessing which families require immediate assistance.
Boosting access to holistic support
To ensure our program reaches all children who need it most, we prioritize diversity across our partnership network by joining forces with organizations who serve a broad range of communities. Our partners deliver specialized services to a range of populations at highest risk for food insecurity, including Newcomers, Indigenous households, children with disabilities, health struggles, or learning issues, and families facing financial strain, housing crises, or unexpected shocks. iCAN strengthens collective action that empowers thousands of families to navigate a range of life stressors by collaborating with agencies who deliver wraparound services focused on education, health, housing, child development, financial empowerment, and family well-being.
Welcoming much-needed partners to our network
We started 2025 by welcoming three new partners to our team:
- CanLearn Society
- Step by Step Early Intervention Society
- Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association
Each of these organizations plays a critical role in fortifying the well-being of vulnerable children and families in Calgary. iCAN is incredibly grateful to pool our resources with these non-profit groups to maximize the number of food-insecure households who have greater access to nutritious food. Here’s what each partner had to say:
Nada, Manager of Literacy Programs at CanLearn Society, shares the impact of our partnership:
“With the relentless rise in food prices, many families are grappling with stress and feeling overwhelmed, making it increasingly difficult to provide for their children. Thank you, I Can for Kids, for your generous support of families in the CanLearn programs! Your collaboration is instrumental in building a strong and caring community, which in turn uplifts the lives of children and parents who are facing literacy, learning, attention, and mental health challenges.”
Lauren, Family Services Manager at Step by Step Early Intervention Society, emphasizes the importance of dignity and autonomy in our work:
“At Step by Step, we understand that supporting a child means supporting the entire family’s health and well-being. Through our valued partnership with I Can for Kids, we can empower neurodiverse children and their families facing food insecurity to meet their basic needs. This innovative model allows families the dignity and autonomy to make choices that respect their cultural and dietary preferences. By addressing these essential needs, we create a stronger foundation for children to thrive in our program.”
Claire, Community Connections Coordinator with Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association, highlights the contributions to the community at large:
“Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association is pleased to partner with I Can for Kids as a meaningful way of aiding families facing food insecurity in our community. Our partnership will help us bolster and empower families in our community to meet their needs. The innovative grocery gift card model will be an equitable asset for residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside and serve as a tool to help the community thrive.”
Reaching every corner of the community
We are always grateful for the phenomenal work our partners do every day. The addition of these new partners reflects our commitment to expand our reach and strengthen community-based responses to food insecurity. By working with agencies that specialize in different areas of health and social services, we ensure that more food-insecure families – regardless of their unique circumstances – have access to immediate and dignified assistance. We look forward to growing these relationships as we collaborate to empower food-insecure families with the support they need, when they need it.
When you donate today, you enable iCAN to amplify our program and reach a greater number of food-insecure children and families across Alberta who also need support for a range of other complex life challenges.
To join iCAN’s expanding list of donors, sponsors, and champions, check out the different ways you can get involved or donate. To stay updated on our work, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
About I Can for Kids Foundation
I Can for Kids works closely with multiple agency partners to target and distribute grocery gift cards to food-insecure families who are most in need. The iCAN grocery gift card program is a more dignified and inclusive approach to dealing with food insecurity, allowing families to shop where everyone else shops and to choose foods that are appropriate for their health and cultural needs. Explore their website to discover more about iCAN’s impact over the years.
For more information and media inquiries, please contact iCAN Executive Director, Bobbi Turko at bobbi@icanforkids.ca.
