Welcoming You Home
The Housewarming Program provides food hampers and essential non-food supplies including cleaning, kitchen, and hygiene items to individuals and families transitioning into stable housing after experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Working directly with approved housing partners, hampers are requested by housing agents who support clients in their journey toward secure, private accommodations. These hampers help lower initial move-in costs, allowing individuals to store and prepare perishable food and settle into their new homes more comfortably. By offering these common essentials, the Housewarming program fosters a sense of dignity, pride, and belonging as clients take this important step toward stability.
Hampers are distributed to partner agencies to ensure timely support for those in need. By collaborating with community organizations addressing housing insecurity, the program helps close gaps in access to food and supplies.
The Housewarming program plays a vital role in ensuring that food insecurity does not become a barrier to maintaining housing and rebuilding lives.
Community partner (agency) Conditions
- Approved organizations that move clients into permanent housing and maintain ongoing support are eligible to submit Housewarming Hamper referrals through our services.
- Housewarming Hampers can only be requested for individuals based on a per-transition basis. For continued food supports, clients will be referred to the Emergency Food Hamper program.
- Partner organizations are required to track statistics and submit reports for continued access to the program.
- This program only accepts requests from approved organizations and is not open to the public.
- Housewarming hampers are to be picked up exclusively by agency workers at the Calgary Food Bank Main Warehouse at 5000 11st SE during specified hours of operation.
Numbers reflect our fiscal year September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025
HOUSEWARMING HAMPERS
qualified partner organizations
CLIENTS Received immediate support for transitioning into housing
“[The program] has been such an added bonus, as we typically require some of these items prior to moving a participant into a unit. Having this support helps supplement costs and ensures essentials are readily available for them. Also, having the emergency food hamper included has significantly reduced the wait time before move-in, which has made a big difference in streamlining the process.”
Alpha House Society, Community Housing
Frequently Asked Questions
How can my agency gain access the Housewarming Program?
For more information or to apply for the program, please contact:
Cody Schimpf Program Coordinator
E: cschimpf@calgaryfoodbank.com
P: 403-253-2059 ext. 237
How do I get a Housewarming hamper?
Approved agencies are provided a specialty link to submit Housewarming hamper requests for clients they are supporting. Only workers from approved partner organizations who have made a successful application are able to refer for the program.
Who is eligible for a Housewarming hamper?
Clients who have experienced homelessness and have found secure housing through the help of your organization are eligible. The hamper is a one-time support for clients during this transition. Clients looking for Further food supports can do so through the referral link to our Emergency Food Hamper Program.
Where do I pick-up the Housewarming hampers?
Housewarming hampers can be picked up from the Calgary Food Bank’s Main Warehouse (5000 11st SE). Pickup times are requested at the time of booking and fall within stated operational hours. Hampers must be pre-booked though our services.
What's in a Housewarming hamper?
Housewarming hampers contain a mix of typical hygiene, cleaning and household goods such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo & conditioner, garbage bags, household cleaners, toilet paper, paper towels, and tinfoil, as well as an optional food hamper to support the recipient during their transition to a new home. All items provided are based on availability and are pre-built to contain an assortment of these goods.
Become A Referral Partner
Contact Cody Schimpf by email or call 403-253-2059 ext. 237 to request an application form and receive more details.
Other Programs
Emergency Food Hampers
Providing people with emergency food support.
Food Link
Providing food to organizations so they can focus their resources on program delivery.
Outreach Food Support
Providing food to communities that work with those experiencing homelessness.
Satellite locations
Alternative pick-up locations for clients receiving Emergency Food Hampers.