Our research
Representing the voices of food-insecure families.
We continually evaluate our program and invest in research to build the case for income-based responses that truly take food insecurity off the table. Research and evaluation help us understand what works – and inspires systemic change.
Families prefer grocery gift cards over food hampers.
I Can for Kids partnered with the University of Calgary and the O’Brien Institute for Public Health to conduct in-depth research on how our grocery gift card program impacts children and families living with food insecurity. This peer-reviewed study was the first of its kind in Canada. Parents and frontline agency staff described how grocery gift cards provide dignity and autonomy through financial support, are convenient and flexible – and improve families’ lives in meaningful ways.
Research findings
Insights from our agency partners
Some of our agency partners participated in our University of Calgary research. And, every year, we survey the frontline agencies that collaborate with us and distribute our grocery gift cards. Their feedback helps us continually evaluate, learn, and improve.
Our partners tell us that the grocery gift card program:
- Strengthens trust, engagement, and rapport with clients
- Provides an entryway to explore and address other client needs – such as mental health, housing, and employment
- Is easy to use – there are no burdens related to collecting donations, storing food, or assembling and distributing traditional food hampers
Our agency partners also help us learn more about the families and children we support.
“A mother of two children was leaving our second-stage domestic violence shelter and moving into her own rental home. The financial burden was overwhelming. Between her damage deposit, first month’s rent, and other moving expenses, she had little left for essentials, including food. With the grocery gift cards, she was able to purchase fresh groceries to prepare meals for her family. Instead of starting this new chapter under stress and uncertainty, the cards gave her a sense of relief, hope, and stability during an extremely difficult time.”
Committed to ongoing research
We’re committed to further research on our grocery gift card model and are excited to be partnering with the University of Calgary on a new two-part study, including:
Program effectiveness assessment
Exploring our program impacts on families, including food purchasing patterns, psychological, and financial well-being. Also looking to understand program limitations or unintended consequences.
Social return on investment
A cost-benefit analysis to estimate the grocery gift card program’s social return on investment, including a comparison to traditional emergency hampers.
Growing evidence for income-based responses
We also look to other third-party research to make sure we maintain an evidence-backed approach. A growing body of research shows that traditional food-based interventions fail to reduce food insecurity and calls for more effective income-based responses that address the root cause.
CMAJ
New research review finds traditional food-based interventions fail to reduce food insecurity
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada
Food-based interventions to mitigate household food insecurity in Canada: a systematic review
Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada
The evidence is in: accountability needs to be injected into the policy-making process for household food insecurity
Canadian Medical Association Journal
Diet quality in Canada: policy solutions for equity
PROOF/University of Toronto
Policy options to reduce household food insecurity in Canada
We’re grateful for champions like you who choose to give.
With your help, we’re reaching thousands of food-insecure families in Calgary and Central Alberta.
