'A new beginning': Calgary family in need helped by local charity
A group of volunteers spent their Saturday morning outfitting a Calgary home with new appliances, furniture and food for a family in need.
Stephen's Backpacks Society, an organization that helps those experiencing homelessness, led the furnishing charge.
The group pitched in their time to set up a home for a family of four fleeing domestic violence. That family recently left Calgary's Discovery House.
"To move out with your kids into an empty home with a few makeshift beds and try to furnish it…I can't even imagine what that would be like," organizer Nancy McPhee told CTV News. "It's just so wonderful to give a family a new beginning."
The group paired with company Kidoodle.TV to bring in new beds, shelves and appliances. They even donated a barbecue and television.
Staff members spent their morning working on the home. They left Saturday afternoon, before the family came back.
"Because we're not doing this for a 'thank you,'" McPhee said. "But I'd love to be a fly on the wall (when the family comes home)."
Stephen's Backpacks Society has outfitted almost three dozen homes in a similar fashion throughout the last 16 years. It's also helped thousands of underprivileged Calgary children.
"It's just like a heartbeat that keeps beating louder and louder, and I think it's because of wonderful people that come alongside and say, 'what can we do to help?'" McPhee said.
Volunteer Clara MacRaild says pitching in made her weekend.
"Being able to give back to the community in this way is so impactful," she said.
She's part of Kidoodle.TV, which is also giving the family vouchers for free food for a year.
"This is exactly what we need to be doing more of," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.