Calgary shelter launches campaign to help families facing homelessness

A Calgary shelter is launching a month-long campaign to help families facing homelessness amid a major housing and affordability crisis.

It marks the second year that Inn from the Cold is raising awareness and funds to support Calgary families on the brink of homelessness.

A Village Can is the shelter’s annual matching campaign that runs for the entire month of May.

MacIsaac says a group of “villagers” have stepped up and will match each donation dollar for dollar, up to $500,000 — up until June 9 — to help towards the shelter’s goal of reaching a $1 million.

Emma MacIsaac is with Inn from the Cold and says more than 5,000 family members turn to them annually with nowhere else to go — and that number has been steadily climbing over the past two years.

“We’ve been serving around 1,500 families annually, pre-pandemic those numbers were probably around 500,” she says.

She says families are staying at the shelter for an average of 80 days.

“This fundraiser raises critical funds for our shelter,” she says. “When families come in, they stay here until they can find housing.”

“That’s a roof over their head, that’s all of their basic needs, if they need access to clothing diapers, formula, or three meals a day.”

Donations can be made online here.