Calgary Community News

An Ottawa man is celebrating a major — and very rare — milestone, making his 500th donation to Canadian Blood Services. You can find Bob McDougall sitting in a chair at the Canadian Blood Services donation centre on Carling Avenue every two weeks, donating plasma and platelets.

The Carney government is promising to end homelessness in Canada within a decade. The 2026 budget offers $11.2 billion to tackle homelessness over four years, starting next year, and $17.8 billion over 10 years.

More than 1,200 volunteers supported The City’s Urban Forestry team this spring and summer to plant 8,570 trees, helping create a greener, healthier Calgary for generations to come.

The initial recipients, Food Banks Canada and Second Harvest, will each receive up to $10 million in funding to further distribute through individual applications to eligible food banks and not-for-profit community-based organizations (known as ultimate recipients) to acquire and distribute food to families in need. Eligible community-based organizations are encouraged to use the Community Support Stream Initial Recipient Finder to determine which organization best serves their geographic area and needs.

The province is providing $2.5 million to support those affected by gender-based violence. The funding will support 36 community organizations across the province “to end gender based violence,” with 14 in Calgary, seven in Edmonton, four in southern Alberta, seven in central Alberta and four in northern Alberta.

The Macquarie Group Foundation is marking 10 years of fundraising for local charities, raising more than $16 million for 27 organizations in Calgary since 2015. The initiative brings together staff, clients and energy-sector partners to support programs and services across the city.