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're about people, and people need nourishment to be able to address the challenges that they're facing. The ability to have the partnership that we have with Second Harvest lets us do the work of helping people get back on their feet.
Many, if not most of, our members do experience food insecurity, so they look forward to ‘Grocery Thursdays.’ The healthy food items provided by Second Harvest are very much appreciated, as generally these are the most expensive and unaffordable, but to most of us are basic staples.
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