What We Do
Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) has been supporting kids with nutritious lunches at school for over 30 years. BB4CK provides healthy lunches at school and through summer camps to ensure that kids receive the food they need to reach their full potential. We work with our community, with hundreds of volunteers per week in over 30 BB4CK kitchens to make and deliver thousands of sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, packed snacks, and baked goods. We know consistent access to appropriate food has immense positive impacts on kids’ physical health, social connections, and mental health.
By working with teachers, school staff, and summer camp counselors to facilitate getting food to kids, we’re able to reduce barriers and ensure that kids can access the food they need quickly. Working with schools and organized summer camps helps to ensure lunches are delivered to kids with dignity, with no stigma, and in ways that help build connection and safety for them.
BB4CK also works to center the knowledge of people who are experiencing food insecurity. We design programming with community members that addresses the needs they tell us they have, and we gather feedback from participants to refine our approach. We also recognize that families who are experiencing food insecurity may benefit from other community connections. Guided by families, we help them to build relationships with other organizations that can be valuable.
What problem are we trying to solve?
In 2022, 1 in 4 children under 18 in the ten provinces (including Alberta) lived in a food-insecure household. Over two-thirds (69%) of these children, 1.2 million children, were part of moderately or severely food-insecure households.
Food is a basic need and a human right. We have seen the demand for our services continue to grow over 20% in the past few years with an average of 100 new requests for lunches per month. In Jan 2024, our program supported over 6,500 kids per school day.
The average cost to make and deliver a lunch across the organization – incorporating food and related costs – is $3.50. This is an increase of $1 per lunch from previous years mainly due to a recent increase in food costs.
How You Can Get Involved
We are your connection to food for kids, volunteer opportunities, and meaningful giving.
Give! The majority of the funds needed to support BB4CK’s work comes from donations from our community including individuals, foundations, corporations, and other community groups. Consider making a one-time or monthly gift to support Calgary’s kids!
Volunteer your time! Join us in the BB4CK kitchen as a volunteer. Arrange for your company team or group of friends or family to join us for a morning, afternoon, or evening of volunteering and connection. There are lots of other volunteer positions needed to help ensure lunches are made and delivered on time every day. Volunteers of all talents and abilities join to ensure kids get lunch every day. Visit our website for details.
Share the story!
Follow us on Social: