Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids launches annual back-to-school fundraising campaign

Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids (BB4CK) is launching its annual back-to-school program, and this year the theme is "together."

"It takes a community to feed and care for kids," said executive director Bethany Ross in a news release.

Each school day, more than 7,500 Calgary youth receive lunch support from BB4CK, and Ross says that number is likely to grow as teachers begin to know more about the students in their classrooms.

"Every donation, every act of support helps us ensure that kids can focus on growing strong brains and bodies without having to worry where their food will come from," said Ross.

With about 63,000 Calgary Catholic School District students returning to class this week, BB4CK is encouraging residents to donate time and or money.

"Nearly one in three kids in Alberta lived in a food-insecure household in 2023," said Ross. "We're inviting Calgarians to get involved in helping make sure the kids have access to the food that they need at school."

Murray Bax started volunteering in early July. Now, he works with BB4CK two days a week making lunches.

"It's pretty phenomenal that a city this large and what I consider to be prosperous, that we have to feed this many kids (who need help)," he said. 

Barbara Bently has made more sandwiches than she can count in her three years volunteering at BB4CK's main kitchen. 

"I actually did this with a corporate group when I was working, so when I retired, I knew this was something I was going to get involved in," she said.

"There's far too many kids that come to school that haven't had breakfast, and once they eat, they learn better and they're not hungry."

The charity says as the cost of food rises, as does the demand for their services; the cost of providing the nutritious meals has increased to $4 per meal.

During BB4CK's back-to-school campaign, which runs from Sept. 3 to 30, donations will be matched by The Matt Rumpel Family Foundation up to $100,000.

"Our friends at the foundation have offered to match the first $100,000 of gifts that Calgarians give to help make sure that kids have access to food," said Ross.

"It's a fantastic time to make a donation to help."

"There may also be students, displaced due to the Jasper wildfire, whom need meal support.

The CCSD is encouraging Jasper residents needing support when it comes to schooling to email [e-mail].

- With files from Kayla Pedersen, CTV News