Home Meal Delivery Program

The Cause

The idea of our Home Delivery Program is to provide local prepared nutritious meals to the doors of those in our community who are facing food security challenges. The purpose of this project is to combat food insecurity in Calgary and to help those that are often not able access other community food security resources. Many of the clients on our Home Meal Delivery Program face physical disabilities and illnesses, chronic or temporary, that make using transportation, shopping for food, and preparing food extremely difficult. Our Home Delivery Program is here to fill that gap for those that do not have the ability to access affordable and nutritious meals can eat well and are having their nutritional and dietary needs met. These individuals often face unique challenges that prevent them from utilizing traditional resources like food banks or drop-in meal services. Whether due to short-term medical recovery, transitional periods, or ongoing lifestyle support, they require extended meal assistance that no other charitable resource currently offers. From this gap in resources this idea for our Home Delivery Program was born.
Our Home Delivery Program works alongside our in-house Registered Dietitian and Red Seal Chefs, to carefully craft affordable meals that are nutritious and accommodating to special diets. These fully prepared meals are offered at a flexible sliding scale rate, meaning that even the those on the lowest of incomes are well fed. Through an engaged network of employees and volunteers, these meals are delivered daily or as needed to the doors of our clients. With 59% of our clients living alone and 73% of our clients receiving further subsidies, the need for our program is supported.

Who Will it Benefit?

This program helps vulnerable and food insecure Calgarians access affordable and nutritious meals. Calgary Meals on Wheels helps in the fight against food insecurity in Calgary, by offering locally prepared and delivered, affordable meals. In a province where the challenge of food insecurity has become increasingly pronounced, the current rate stands as one of the highest among all provinces, affecting 27.4% of the population, the need for affordable food is ever present (Stats Canada, 2024). This program is also more targeted to help those with mobility issues, disabilities, transportation barriers, low income, and chronic or acute illnesses. In 2023 Our Home Delivery Program provided 238,648 meals to 2309 clients across Calgary.
Our Home Delivery Program is open to individuals of all ages who find themselves in need of our services. There are no age or income requirements—our only requirement is a delivery address where meals can be safely received. Additionally, we do not have a waitlist, and new clients are typically set up within 2-3 business days.
The impact of this program extends beyond its direct clients, benefiting their families, caregivers, and the broader community. By filling a vital service gap, the program also helps alleviate pressure on our healthcare system.