The Mayor's 23rd Annual Christmas Food Drive

Today, I helped to launch The Mayor's 23rd Annual Christmas Food Drive in support of the Calgary Food Bank.

As we go into the holiday season, it's a time for giving back to our community. As I say in the video (above), I hope that many Calgarians can take this opportunity to start a tradition of giving in your family or your workplace to make Calgary an even better place.

Far too many Calgarians need to use the emergency food hamper program offered by the Calgary Food Bank. And, in many cases (44 per cent, to be exact), those people live in households with wage-related income--the working poor who are just trying to make ends meet. What's more upsetting is that the largest group of clients served by the Calgary Food Bank are children and youth. Facts like that just give us more reason to move ahead with a real plan to reduce poverty in Calgary.

By supporting the Food Bank drive, we, as a community, are providing nutritious food to those in need. We are supporting children with the opportunity to go to school well-fed and ready to learn. And, we are lessening some of the stress that parents face on a daily basis.

Last year, Calgarians raised over $430,000 though the Mayor's Christmas Food Drive. Please join me in making this year even more successful. You can donate at any of our partner locations (below) or make a cash donation online.(PLEASE NOTE: If you are making a cash donation online, please select the Mayor's Food Drive option when filling out the forms.)

Partners
The City of Calgary Canada Safeway
Calgary and District Dental Society
Calgary Board of Education
Calgary Catholic School District
Calgary Motor Dealers Association
CUPE - Local 38 Calgary
Girl Guides of Canada
Federation of Calgary Communities

- Mayor Naheed Nenshi