The face of hunger in Calgary is changing, and it might look more familiar than many expect. New research released yesterday by the Calgary Food Bank reveals a startling reality – 27 percent of those relying on food bank services are employed full-time. These aren’t occasional visitors either; many are working Calgarians caught in a persistent cycle of food insecurity despite holding down regular jobs.
Standing in the food bank’s distribution center yesterday, I watched as Maria, a healthcare support worker, collected her monthly hamper. “I work 40 hours weekly, but after rent and utilities, there’s barely enough for food,” she explained. Maria’s situation isn’t unique – it represents a growing trend across our city.
The comprehensive study, conducted over 18 months and involving more than 3,000 food bank clients, challenges long-held assumptions about who needs food assistance. Calgary Food Bank CEO James McAra told me the findings demonstrate how inflation and housing costs have created new vulnerabilities.
“We’re seeing a dramatic shift in our client base,” McAra said during our interview. “These are hardworking Calgarians who simply can’t stretch their paychecks far enough anymore.”
The report highlights several key factors driving this trend. Average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Calgary increased 11.4 percent over the past year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Meanwhile, grocery prices continue climbing at rates outpacing wage growth.
This reality is something I’ve observed developing gradually over the past decade covering Calgary’s economic landscape. The 2015-2016 oil downturn created initial cracks in our city’s economic foundation, but the pandemic and subsequent inflation have widened these fissures considerably.
The findings come as no surprise to poverty reduction advocates like Franco Savoia, former director of Vibrant Communities Calgary. “The working poor have always existed in Calgary, but their numbers are growing,” Savoia explained during our phone conversation. “When housing consumes 50 to 60 percent of income, food budgets become the flexible expense families cut first.”
Perhaps most concerning is the psychological toll. The study found 82 percent of working food bank users reported feelings of shame or embarrassment about needing assistance. This stigma often prevents people from seeking help until their situation becomes desperate.
City Councillor Kourtney Penner, who chairs the Community Development Committee, acknowledged the findings require municipal action. “We need to address affordable housing as an urgent priority,” Penner said. “These numbers clearly show working Calgarians are struggling with basic needs.”
Walking through Kensington yesterday afternoon, I stopped at Café Beano, where barista Jeremy shared his perspective. Despite working full-time, he’s visited the food bank twice this year. “Most people have no idea their server, their barista, or the person next to them on the C-Train might be hungry,” he said.
The Calgary Food Bank distributed over 97,000 emergency food hampers last year – a 34 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels. What’s changed is who’s receiving them. Beyond the full-time employed, another 18 percent of recipients hold part-time jobs, meaning nearly half of all food bank users are employed in some capacity.
University of Calgary economics professor Ron Kneebone points to Calgary’s changing economic structure. “We’re seeing a shift toward service sector jobs that often pay less than the resource sector positions that previously supported middle-class lifestyles,” Kneebone noted during our discussion at his office.
The food bank’s research also reveals geographic trends. Communities like Dover, Forest Lawn, and surprisingly, parts of the northwest like Huntington Hills, show higher concentrations of working food bank users. This challenges the notion that food insecurity is limited to traditionally lower-income neighborhoods.
What’s the solution? The report recommends a multi-faceted approach including living wage policies, expanded affordable housing, and increased support for food security programs.
As our city prepares for another boom cycle with recent energy project announcements, the question becomes whether prosperity will reach those currently being left behind. The food bank’s findings serve as a sobering reminder that economic growth doesn’t automatically translate to economic security for all Calgarians.
For those wanting to help, the Calgary Food Bank identifies financial donations as most effective, allowing them to leverage bulk purchasing power. Food donations are welcome too, especially protein-rich items like peanut butter and canned meats – consistently in short supply.
As I’ve covered Calgary’s evolution over my 15 years in journalism here, one thing remains clear: our city’s greatest strength has always been our commitment to supporting each other through challenging times. The growing need among working Calgarians isn’t just a food security issue – it’s a community call to action.
