Brown Bagging For Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) kicked off its winter campaign to tackle food insecurity in schools and communities around the city throughout December.
The campaign, which began on Tuesday and runs until Dec. 31, will raise money for school lunches for students in 270 schools across the city. Stephanie Gauthier, director of organization development, said the goal is to raise $1 million, which will provide 250,000 lunches – or two months’ worth of lunches. The first $100,000 will be matched by the Trevor and Amy Cooper Family Legacy Fund from the Calgary Foundation.
“This is one of our few campaigns throughout the year where we really rely on the generosity and support of Calgarians,” Gauthier told LiveWire Calgary.
“We are an organization that is 100 per cent community funded, so we really do rely on those donations from individuals and organizations. It all matters, and it all makes a difference.”
The winter campaign comes after a recent 2024 Quality of Life Report by the Calgary Foundation suggested that more than a quarter of Calgarians can’t afford healthy food. Around 39 per cent of respondents skipped meals to ensure their kids could eat, and 63 per cent served meals that weren’t nutritious. Around 26 per cent of those surveyed said they have used community-based food services for their kids.
Gauthier said more than 650 volunteers at BB4CK kitchens around Calgary make and deliver more than 7,500 lunches every school day.
“We definitely believe in the value of community and the impact that can have when you can bring so many people together around one cause. It’s just, it’s incredible to see the impact that can have,” she said.
“[Nearly] one in three children live in a household that is experiencing some form of food insecurity. Our mission and goal is really just to connect kids to the food that they need in the most dignified and barrier-free way.”
Families with children experiencing food insecurity can access support by speaking to a BB4CK family coordinator. The organization will also contact schools to connect with children experiencing food insecurity.
“We certainly encourage families to reach out to their schools and ask them if this is a program that they have available. We’re always willing to accommodate a growing increase if needed,” Gauthier said.
“We don’t have a waitlist. So anytime there is a growing need in a school or a new family that’s reaching out, we’re really sure to make sure that we can fill that within a couple of days.”
Gauthier added families can access support and resources at any time. If a family is experiencing food insecurity in December when they weren’t a month ago, they can reach out for support even if it’s only temporarily.
“We also intentionally send out all of our lunches individually wrapped. All the items are individual so that a family or a student who might just need a little top-up on their lunch can access that as well. We encourage anyone at any point during the year who’s experiencing any form of food insecurity to really reach out and have that support for their kids,” Gauthier said.
Those interested in donating to BB4CK or need extra support this holiday season can visit bb4ck.org.
