Image
Image Caption
It’s only been six months, but a year-long pilot project is leading to positive change for Calgary Meals on Wheels and those enrolled in the charity’s Full Client Support Initiative.
Throughout its 52-year history, Calgary Meals on Wheels has offered nutritious meals for a very affordable fee. For the past decade, fees have been based on a sliding scale to make the services more affordable for Calgarians in need.
Even with this fee structure, Calgary Meals on Wheels reports it saw some Calgarians in difficult situations unable to afford the minimum daily fee for two meals delivered to their door.
The Full Client Support Initiative offers meals at no cost to those who are experiencing unforeseen personal hardships. Acting as a bridge between poverty and possibility, the Full Client Support Initiative removes the financial barrier to food security, providing the opportunity for Calgarians to get back on their feet, reads a press statement.
“The Full Client Support Initiative has been a goal of ours for a long time,” said Janice Curtis, Calgary Meals on Wheels executive director. “This is about removing barriers to proper nutrition. This is about helping Calgarians.”
Participants are referred to the initiative through one of three partner agencies. These partner agencies continue to work with Full Client Support participants with the goal of being able to transition off of the initiative.
The project has seen 71 Calgarians participate. One participant wrote, “It helps my medical condition. I don’t have to worry about how to get groceries, what type of food to buy. It’s allowed me to save some money.”
The program is supported by the Calgary Foundation’s Community Grant and the “wonderful community” of Calgary.