Calgary charity BB4CK hosts month-long fundraising campaign to feed children

Brown Bagging for Calgary's Kids makes and delivers lunches to city schools every day. It’s hosting a campaign to raise money and awareness on food insecurity.

A Calgary charity that helps feed children in need is hoping to raise money through a month-long fundraising event.

Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) hosts its annual Brown Bagging It campaign every May, using it as an opportunity to raise awareness about food insecurity and raise the funds needed to operate.

The organization provides kids at schools throughout Calgary with healthy lunches.

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Executive director Stephanie Gauthier says currently, more than 7,800 kids across Calgary – more than ever before – receive a lunch prepared by BB4CK every school day.

“Thousands of kids are going to school every single day without a lunch, I think it’s about seven kids per class in about an average sized classroom,” she said.

Volunteer Marilyn Jorgensen has been helping prepare lunches for six years, and says she likes the hands-on work.

“We know that some child is going to have lunch today, and they’ll have fresh food – which may not be in their fridge at home,” she said. "

“As a mom, I would be very grateful if someone was feeding my child, so we fill in for parents if they can’t quite make it there.”

The month-long Brown Bagging It campaign will see an interactive display set up at The Core shopping centre from May 12 to 31, as well as a photo display at City Hall from May 26 onward.

In addition, the Calgary Tower will be lit up in the charity’s colours on May 25.

This year, BB4CK has partnered with Canadian energy company ARC Resources, which will match up to $50,000 in donations during the month of May.

To learn more or to donate, you can visit the BB4CK website.