Childhood food insecurity
1 in 5 children lives in a food-insecure home in Calgary.
It’s unequal. It’s not fair. It shouldn’t happen here. It’s time to challenge the way our society supports children living with food insecurity.
Our approach represents an innovative shift in how we get food to hungry kids.
Our original mission focused on summer hunger.
If it wasn’t for school nutrition programs some children would go an entire day without a meal. This happens in every corner of the city. We were focused solely on feeding kids who were out of school during the summer with food packs and nutritious snacks. But then the pandemic hit…
We shifted to target childhood hunger. Period. Any time of year.
When the pandemic hit and learning moved to at home and online, children couldn’t access the same level of food support. Our mission needed to be much broader than summer hunger. This was a year-long, at home issue. We had to move beyond food packs – COVID protocols prevented us from doing our normal work. Because we had such a robust distribution system in place we didn’t miss a beat – like everyone else in the Spring of 2020, we had to pivot…
As a direct result of limited household income, too many children are unable to access enough healthy food every day.
60,000+
children and youth living in poverty in Calgary
1 in 5
children in Calgary lives in a food-insecure home
3/4
of food-insecure households are in the workforce
When you’re just handed things, you’re kind of expected to just take what is given to you. When you’re able to go out and grocery shop and meal plan, it just makes you feel human.
Food insecurity affects every part
of a kid’s life.
Physical
Poor diet quality increases the risk of developing chronic health conditions in adulthood such as mood disorders and diabetes.
Mental
Repeated experiences of hunger lead to more struggles with hyperactivity, depression, and anxiety.
Social
Food-insecure kids feel more shame and lower self-esteem that can lead to social isolation.
Academic
Food-insecure kids are more likely to repeat a grade, receive lower test scores, and struggle with reading.
We base our work on the lived experience of people impacted by food insecurity
Our founding model is based on relationships with more than 25 frontline service agency partners who have direct contact with families living with food insecurity. They’ve built relationships with families and know their specific needs.
Food-insecure children have poor nutrition because their family has too little income
There is more than enough food for everyone in our city. Childhood food insecurity isn’t about a lack of food. It’s caused by a lack of financial resources. That is food insecurity.
With your help, we can do this
Donate
Your generosity allows us to empower vulnerable people in our community with dignity and choice
Fundraise
One person with one idea and a network of supporters can make a big impact
Spread the word
The more people who know about us, the less kids who struggle with food insecurity
Learn more about the evidence that informs our work
Some key resources that describe the causes and impacts of food insecurity
Need PROOF?
PROOF is an academic team who publishes research, reports, and resources on food insecurity in Canada. We recommend their easy-to-read factsheets.
Basic Income Guarantee
In under 15 minutes, learn about food insecurity and gain a solid grounding in a potential solution that offers people dignity and respect.
Our innovative program is the first of its kind to tackle the root cause of food insecurity: inadequate income.
And innovation only happens through the support of generous donors like you.