Inspiring stories spark change, and 14-year-old Calgarian Sutton Garner is no stranger to making a difference in our city. In 2015, watching a Good Morning America segment about childhood summer hunger in the United States got the young changemaker thinking:
“My mother and I watched this interview and we wondered if there were similar challenges in Calgary,” she said. “Nothing prepared us when we realized how much it was an issue.
Nobody should have to go without food, yet there are so many kids in the city, the city I call home, who don’t know where they will find their next meal. We knew we had to do something to help so we started from square one and let our imaginations do the rest.”
This led to the creation of I Can for Kids Foundation, providing Calgarian kids with healthy meals. West Campus Development Trust is thrilled to announce this local initiative as its 2018 charity for the annual Northwestival event, held this year on December 9.
Giving back to the community is part of the Trust and University District’s values, whether it’s volunteering time at a nearby charity or collecting cans to donate to a local food bank. Giving back makes a big difference and often the little things make the most impact.
“We believe that part of building a best-in-class community stems from awareness and concern for the well-being of neighbours,” says Emily Allert-House, communications and community engagement lead at West Campus Development Trust. “We’re honoured to support I Can for Kids through during Northwestival this year, spreading the word that child and youth hunger can be prevented.
All year round we see how important it is for Calgarians to be there for one another. It’s part of our commitment to give back to community.”
The season of giving is one that we can all participate in. Learn how you can volunteer in Calgary over the holidays with our Gift of Giving: How to Volunteer in Calgary Guide.
From shovelling a neighbours sidewalk to lending that much-needed cup of sugar, a helping hand is what University District encourages to be a great neighbour.
Connecting and supporting the people around you, helps make a community whole.
It’s what inspired Sutton and her mom, Bobbi Turko, to reach out to their neighbours including University District’s grocery partner, Save-on-Foods. The grocer now runs an annual spring fundraising campaign in support of I Can for Kids.
Today, the foundation does 10 weeks of deliveries, from late June to end of August. This past summer, over 20,000 food packs were delivered, each containing three meals and snacks for children in need.
“The support from Calgarians makes our initiatives possible,” says Sutton. “We’re so excited to partner up with West Campus Development Trust this Northwestival. It’s a great local event that creates a strong sense of community and fun.”
There’s something about the power of community that comes alive in Northwest Calgary. Learn how Ronald McDonald House Charities is helping to keep families close. Take a read here.
Throughout the year, giving back and being a good neighbour deserves top-of-mind importance. In fact, I Can For Kids is already planning ahead for next summer
As part of the Trust’s values and focus — to elevate awareness and giving back to the local community — aligning with I Can for Kids is a natural choice and our annual Northwestival event is the perfect time. There are thousands of families that continue to struggle with food insecurity, and Northwestival is one of the best platforms we can use to help share that story and bring people together to support a program that helps provide quality, nutritious food to those in need.
During Northwestival, I Can for Kids and the Trust will hold a peanut butter drive and we encourage everyone to participate by bringing a jar along with you to the event. So mark your calendars and bring the whole family this December to help make a difference in the lives of friends and neighbours while enjoying a day of winter fun, holiday surprises and all things that make the Northwest the best.
Calgary’s Northwest offers an incredible range of opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in their community. Put your skills to great use. Check out our guide to 5 places to volunteer in NW Calgary.
1. Join us at Northwestival and contribute to our peanut butter drive by bringing an unopened jar with you!
2. Make an online donation or monthly recurring gift
3. Host an I Can for Kids FUNdraising event
4. Consider I Can for Kids as the beneficiary of your community or corporate fundraising event
Join us on December 9th for our annual Northwestival event. Don’t want to miss out on future events and exciting announcements, sign up for the e-newsletter!
The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.
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