Charitable groups in Calgary give back over Thanksgiving

Charitable groups in Calgary didn’t take time off for Thanksgiving Monday and continued to serve the community through several initiatives aimed to support the less fortunate.

Ahead of the long weekend, the Salvation Army began a new monthly community meal program that will take place on the first Wednesday of every month, said Glenmore temple pastor Major Dena Hepditch.

it will take place at their temple located along 921 68th Ave SW, just off Glenmore trail and everyone is invited, she said.

“It is for our clients, those who are homeless,those who are food insecure but it is also for our congregation, our neighbors, donors, volunteers and those new to Canada,” Hepditch said. “It’s a place where the whole community can just come together around a common table. No stigma and then we can also better get to know the needs of our community in conversation.”

Another initiative the Army is conducting over Thanksgiving will help provide socks and underwear to those in need.

This was brought to their attention after another member highlighted that this was a major concern by their outreach teams that deal with their homeless clients on Calgary’s streets.

“Recently somebody discovered a lady who had no underwear, no pants and she just had a jacket or something tied around herself to cover herself,” Hepditch said. “Everybody deserves dignity, respect and it was a way that we could help. Generally, on thanksgiving we collect food for harvest time and people think about all of our blessings food-wise, but we were challenged kind of to remember those who need the very basics of underwear.”

On Sunday, their congregation collected hundreds of socks and underwear that filled five large bins, she said.

These donations will be given to the outreach team that will give them to anyone they encounter on Calgary’s city streets.

The two new programs are part of a wide array of services offered to the community by group, including their new “Free Bread Friday” tea and coffee at their temple, ESL classes and seasonal initiatives throughout the year.

With Christmas on the horizon, the Army is always looking for more volunteers to help with their various programs including the Christmas Kettles over the holidays, Hepditch said.

“If people can be present there and just smile, wish people Merry Christmas or say hello to them and wish them a good day, that would be a great way to volunteer for the Salvation Army,” She said. “There’s other ways between our food bank, packing backpacks for back-to-school time, the summer toy programs that we do at Christmas collecting and distributing the toys, so there’s many ways that people can serve.”

At the Drop-In Centre in downtown Calgary, Thanksgiving is marked with a warm meal, a little comfort and a reminder that the community is built by showing up for one another, said president and CEO Sandra Clarkson.

Through the generosity of the North Hill Lions Club, the people staying at the Centre will be served a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables and a pie for dessert, she said.

“Sponsored meals like these mean more than what’s on the plate,” Clarkson said. “They bring a sense of occasion, create moments of comfort and connection, and help make holidays feel a little more special for people who may be facing difficult circumstances.”

Providing meals is an essential part of their work and the generosity of community partners that go a step further are a large part of reminding people that they are part of a community that cares, she said.

“We are deeply grateful to the North Hill Lions Club for helping make Thanksgiving a little warmer today,” Clarkson said.