A dozen athletes from Team Canada volunteered at the kitchen of Calgary-area charity Brown Bags for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) this week. The group joined regular volunteers to prepare sandwiches and lunches for children supported by the organization, which serves students across many Calgary schools.
The athletes helped on the assembly line, performing tasks from spreading fillings to sealing and packing the meals. These lunches are part of the daily deliveries provided to roughly 8,000 students who rely on the program.
This visit marks the first time the charity has partnered with national-level athletes as part of their end-of-year campaign, “Stories of BB4CK.” The campaign aims to raise funds to help deliver 250,000 lunches by year’s end.
Participants included a former Pan-Am Games athlete who grew up in Calgary and returned home to give back. For many athletes, the kitchen work offered a hands-on opportunity to support children and families in their community outside the sporting arena.
The charity recently received a significant donation through a major fundraising event. This financial support will help the organization continue meeting growing need while maintaining quality and reliability.
Volunteers and visiting athletes alike described the experience as humbling and energizing. BB4CK hopes more Calgarians will step forward to help sustain lunch programs as demand continues to grow.
