Calgarians feeling charitable at food bank events even as food insecurity increases
Calgarians showed all sorts of generosity Saturday as multiple food bank events were held across the city.
The 30th annual Stuff-a-Bus affair took place at two dozen Calgary Co-op stores throughout the morning.
The one-day food drive raises thousands of pounds of food and critical funds every year for those in need. 24 City of Calgary Transit buses are filled to the brim with non-perishable food items by hundreds of volunteers.
"We are seeing more Albertans pressed for the need for food this year," Calgary Food Bank interim director Michael Pasma said. "But we keep seeing Calgarians rise to the challenge."
The event is the launching pad for the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Food Drive.
Jyoti Gondek says inflation and the pandemic has pushed more and more people to the food bank for help.
"This year is going to be very tricky for many people and many families," she told CTV News. "There are so many that need our support right now, so this (event) is a particularly important one."
Mayor Gondek spoke to CTV News anchor Tara Nelson in her 2021 year end interview
A recent University of Toronto report found Albertans have the highest food insecurity in the country, with one in five people facing inadequate access to food because of financial constraints.
Food bank use in the city has skyrocketed by 73 per cent since 2019.
"Everyone is experiencing our economic downturn, the increase in grocery prices and supply chain demand," Lynn Tipper with the food bank said.
That's why another event was so important Saturday.
Volunteers and Alberta Motor Association (AMA) staff hosted AMA's third annual Stack to Sack Hunger Day.
Winter donation drive-throughs were held across the province -- a chance for people to drop off food before the holidays.
"We live in such an amazing city and Calgarians are very generous," Tipper said. "It's a great feeling."
Though the drives were only a one-day event, there are plenty of ways to give all year round.
To learn more about either event or to donate food or volunteer time, visit the Calgary Food Bank website.
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.