Our Food Bank Drive is a yearly tradition for many, and we are happy to bring you Make the Season Kind: In support of the Calgary Food Bank.
A new report warns that the cost-of-living crisis needs immediate action to help millions of Canadians struggling from coast to coast to coast. The state of poverty and food insecurity has reached alarming heights, with nearly 2 million food bank visits in one month alone.
Starting December 1, 2023, join us for special broadcasts, events, auctions and donate to the Calgary Food Bank. Or, attend one of our coffee and mug sales to make a donation and receive this year's limited edition mug.
Many of us have been impacted financially by the pandemic and inflation, limiting us in ways we might traditionally contribute. But there are many opportunities to spread generosity and kindness aside from making monetary donations. Put a smile on your own face – and the faces of others – by spreading acts of kindness in your community. For ideas and inspiration for your generous act, click here.
CBC Calgary staff at the Calgary Food Bank in November 2022.
PAST EVENTS:
Dec. 1-22: Donation drop-offs
Mondays to Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make a donation to Make the Season Kind: In support of the Calgary Food Bank with non-perishable food item at Parkdale Community Association with the Parkdale Nifty Fifties Seniors Association. Click here for a list of in-demand items the Calgary Food Bank is collecting this year.
Location: Parkdale Nifty Fifties Seniors Association (3512 – 5th Ave NW)
Dec. 19: Lethbridge Coffee Sale
SOLD OUT
For those who purchased the coffee, you can pick up your purchase on Wednesday December 20, between 12 and 2 pm at the downtown library (810 5 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4C4). Please remember to bring your receipt so we can verify your purchase.
Dec. 1 - 22: Bakery Sales
Visit the various participating bakeries to purchase baked goods with proceeds going to the Calgary Food Bank
Participating bakeries include: Pie Junkie, Glamorgan Bakery, Pretty Sweet Bakeshop, Ma Pies, Lemonberry Pastries, Cinnzeo Bakery Cafe , Cakeworks.
Dec 1-14: Online Auctions
Many local Calgary and area businesses have joined forces to donate some amazing items to our online auction.
Dec. 14: Blitz Day
Join us for a day of special programming and live music. We'll have popcorn, a photo booth and studio tours where you might get a chance to see your favourite host!
Come by, make a monetary donation or bring a non-perishable food item, in support of our Calgary Food Bank drive. Be part of the community and help us reach our goal of $1 million! Today is also your last chance to get your hands on our limited edition Grounds for Giving mug and special roast of Fratello coffee beans.
Location: CBC Calgary lobby, 1000 Veterans Place NW
Dec. 13: Raffle day
On December 13, purchase a raffle ticket (or more!) for your chance to win a prize package of four bags of Grounds for Giving coffee beans along with four limited-edition coffee mugs.
Dec. 11: Grounds for Giving pop-up coffee sale
6:30 a.m. until sell out
Join us at our second pop-up coffee sale to purchase our special roast of Grounds for Giving coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters and our limited edition holiday mug. 200 bags available while supplies last.
Location: Analog Coffee - Westman Village (102 Mahogany Centre SE)
Dec. 7: Grounds for Giving pop-up coffee sale
6:30 a.m. until sell out
Missed the first sale of Grounds for Giving coffee beans and our limited edition holiday mug? Now’s your chance to try again. 200 bags available while supplies last.
Location: Analog Coffee - Greenwich (Farmers' Market West)
55 Greenbriar Dr. NW #130
Dec. 6: Medicine Hat Coffee Sale
SOLD OUT
For our Medicine Hat listeners, here's your chance to purchase our Grounds for Giving coffee beans and limited edition coffee mugs. One day only.
Dec. 5: The Homestretch's Jam for The Food Bank
3 to 6 p.m.
Join The Homestretch with Chris dela Torre and Jenny Howe live on location at the Ironwood Stage & Grill and enjoy musical performances, play some trivia for a chance to win great prizes including cozy CBC swag, a prize pack from Macleod Optometry worth over $2000 . Entrance to the show can be made either through a monetary or non-perishable food item donation. Enjoy musical performances from the The Lovebullies, yacht-pop musician Kayla Williams, R&B artist Justine Tyrell and country music duo Scarlett Butler.
Location: Ironwood Stage & Grill, 1229 9 Ave SE
Dec. 1: Kick-off day | Grounds for Giving coffee sale
6 a.m. until sell out
This year's campaign kicks off with the launch of our special roast of Grounds for Giving coffee beans from Fratello Coffee Roasters and our limited edition holiday mug! Join us on Friday, December 1 as we kickoff Make the Season Kind: In support of the Calgary Food Bank with 400 bags of coffee and mugs.
Location: Fratello Coffee, 4021 9 St SE
Learn about the Calgary Food Bank and who you’re supporting when you make a donation.
This year's top in-demand items to support the Calgary Food Bank:
• Cereal
• Canned Meat
• Canned Vegetables
• Canned Beans
• Baby Formula
• Pasta Sauce
Calgary Food Bank Facts 2022-2023
• Every dollar donated equals $3.50 worth of food distributed.
• 64% of the food bank users are families.
• 34% of food bank users are children.
• A total of 149,909 hampers were distributed through our programs.
• 1,320,635 pounds of food was distributed through Food Link to 56 partner organizations with a value of $4,263,848.
• Volunteers contributed 146,122 hours last year.
• 380,997 hampers were distributed through the Emergency Food Hamper Program.
A big thank you to our community partners, who are working to fill every plate in Calgary this season.
Fratello Coffee Roasters
Fratello Coffee Roasters works directly with farmers around the world to produce coffee that is not only delicious, but also ethically sourced. Fratello has generously donated 1,700 bags of One Gray Knight specially roasted coffee so that all of the money collected can go directly to the Calgary Food Bank.
Parkdale Community Association
This year Parkdale Community Association has come on board to help collect non-perishable food donations.
Parkdale Nifty Fifties Seniors Association
This year the Parkdale Nifty Fifties Seniors Association has come on board to help collect non-perishable food donations.
The Calgary Food Bank
Established in 1982, the Calgary Food Bank is a charitable, non-profit organization dedicated to gathering and distributing quality emergency food to those in need. The Calgary Food Bank hands out 262 emergency hampers every day, as well as provides resources to other food banks and agencies in Alberta.
Analog Coffee
This year Analog Coffee is hosting one of our pop-up coffee sales.
YYC Tech Gives
Since 2010, YYC Tech Gives has donated more than $1.5 million, which translates to over $7.5 million worth of food in the hands of Calgarians in need.
Questions you might have about Make the Season Kind: In support of the Calgary Food Bank
How do I donate?
You can make a donation by participating in our events, bidding on an auction item or directly online here.
I can’t donate money this year, but still want to help. What other ways can I support?
Yes! Please visit the Calgary Food Bank website to learn how you can make a difference through volunteering. You can also click here for more ways to spread generosity this season.
Why does the CBC Calgary Food Bank Drive look different this year?
We’re still raising money for the Calgary Food Bank, just under a new name! In order to adhere to COVID-19 protocols, our station remains closed to the public and in-person events have had to be reimagined to either online or via drive-thru. Visit our schedule of events for more information.
Make the Season Kind
A big thank you to our community partners listed below for coming together to help us make these local prize packs!
Share your story with us of how you showed or received an act of kindness this year and be entered to win a local prize pack. Your act of kindness may even be featured on CBC Calgary.
What’s an act of kindness?
Have you picked up groceries for an elderly neighbour? Covered someone's bill? Received a call from a long lost friend that made your day? We want to hear about it! No act of kindness is too big or too small.
Local prize packs include:
- A $25 gift card to Bowtie Pizza
- A 12oz bag of Fratello Coffee Roasters Grounds for Giving coffee beans
- A limited-edition Grounds for Giving coffee mug
- CBC Calgary winter swag
- $25 gift cards to both Lil Empire and Empire Provisions
- Handmade blanket from Calgary Food Bank volunteers
- A hot chocolate bomb and a box of chocolates from Master Chocolat
- Clay Necessities bird ornament
- A $25 gift card to Skin Studio YYC
- Made with April Crochet Flowers
- A candle by Amethyst & Co. Candles
Read previous stories of kindness below:
- • People sharing goodwill with strangers and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
- • Neighbours helping neighbours and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
- • Strangers paying for groceries and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
- • Handing out care packages to the homeless and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
- • Finding homes for pets and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
- • Caring for the homeless and other acts of kindness by Calgarians
Join us on Dec.14 for a day of special programming, live music and studio tours with our hosts.
CBC lobby | 1000 Veterans Place N.W.
We'll have popcorn, Hip Image Photo Booth* and lots of fun! Come by and make a monetary donation in support of our Calgary Food Bank drive. Be part of the community and help us reach our goal of $1 million!
* The Hip Image Photo Booth will be set up between 8 - 10 a.m., 12 - 1:30 p.m. and 3 - 6 p.m.
* Please note parking will be free at the west surface parking lot on Blitz Day
The Calgary Eyeopener with Loren McGinnis and Angela Knight
6:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Kick off Blitz Day with Calgary Eyeopener’s new host, Loren McGinnis and Angela Knight. Enjoy music from Rome IX, chat with Mayor Jyoti Gondek and do some star gazing with our star man Don Hladiuk. This will also be your last chance to get your hands on our Grounds for Giving mug and special roast of Fratello coffee beans.
CBC Calgary Studio Tour with Loren McGinnis
10 - 10:30 a.m.
Want to know how we bring it all to life? Loren McGinnis, our Calgary Eyeopener host will take you on a studio tour where you can get a glimpse at how CBC Calgary operates. Limited spots available so secure your spot now.
Alberta at Noon with Judy Aldous
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The show will be broadcasting live in the lobby where Justine Giles will be playing a song for every story received. Our host Judy Aldous wants to hear stories about kindness and generosity from you!
CBC Calgary Studio Tour with Paul Karchut
2 - 2:30 p.m.
Want to know how we bring it all to life? Paul Karchut, our Alberta Daybreak host will take you on a studio tour where you can get a glimpse at how CBC Calgary operates. Limited spots available so secure your spot now.
The Homestretch with Chris dela Torre and Jenny Howe
3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wind down with Chris dela Torre and Jenny Howe. Listen to live music from Flint and Feather and meet some of the special guests and columnists, including:
• Dr. Brent MacDonald, a Calgary-based psychologist
• Harpal Sandhu, Immigrants of Distinction 2023 award winner
• Brian Keating, our Homestretch naturalist
• Anne Logan, our Homestretch book columnist