When community members come to the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary for support, they are given a hand-up, not just a hand-out. This principle guides the organization’s programs, which span nearly every neighbourhood in Calgary through a network of over 217 non-profit partners.
We at The Mustard Seed accommodate anywhere from 50-150 guests, 3 meals a day using these products. All of the food donations that we receive [from Second Harvest] are put directly into meals and sometimes used to bake treats for the guests. The Mustard Seed feeds and provides for community members facing homelessness and poverty. One guest in particular is always complimenting the variety and taste of our food
Rescued food, particularly from Second Harvest, is essential to our efforts throughout the year and becomes especially valuable during the holidays. Second Harvest provides us with non-perishable items, which helps stretch our resources further. With these donations covering basic staples, we’re able to allocate more of our budget toward fresh produce and proteins, allowing us to offer families a wider range of nutritious options.
Second Harvest has been essential in connecting us to local grocery stores. These grocery stores have allowed us to include bread and baked goods as well as some non-perishable items consistently to the people and families in need that we serve. We are very grateful for this program.