Our Values

• Client centred care – We prioritize the well-being of our clients above all else.

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – We are for everyone and celebrate diversity, being an inclusive workplace and creating a sense of belonging.

• Integrity – We uphold ourselves and each other to be honest, transparent, and accountable.

• Kindness – We unconditionally care for each other with compassion and understanding.

• Quality – We uphold the highest standards in everything we do.

• Respect – We treat all people with dignity and fairness, and value diverse perspectives.

• Teamwork – Coming together as one to get the job done.

Feeding our city, strengthening our community.

Since 1965, Calgary Meals on Wheels has specialized in preparing and delivering nutritious meals, a critical service in Calgary’s charitable food-security landscape. We believe that reliable nutrition is a crucial link to overall individual and societal health and wellness. With the rise of inflation and less accessibility to affordable, nutrient rich foods, Calgary is facing an increase in food insecurity. This complex problem impacts the social well-being, academic and economic potential, and overall health of our community. Working alongside our in-house Registered Dietitian and Red Seal Chefs, we 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, volunteers, and donors we execute our mission of improving the food security and well-being of our community by preparing and delivering nutritious, quality, and affordable meals. Through this network we deliver approximately 5,500 nutritious and locally prepared meals each day. We make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable community members through our three program pillars: Home Delivery, Schools , and Community programs. 

Our Impact

We prepare and deliver nutritious, quality, and affordable meals.

Calgary Meals on Wheels is a not-for-profit organization that promotes health and independence to Calgarians in need of affordable, nutritious meals regardless of age, ability, or life circumstances. In addition to the meal delivery programs, Calgary Meals on Wheels also operates a school nutrition program and Hot Soup school lunch program, as well as the Going Home program; delivering meals to seniors after a stay in the hospital to recover in the comfort of their homes. To learn more about how you can help Calgary Meals on Wheels, click here. 

2024-2026 Strategic Plan
Financial Statements
2023 Annual Report

Our facility was created with environmental efficiencies in mind.

• Energy Efficiency: Our rooftop solar panels and the heat from freezer condensers fuel our boilers.

• Water Conservation: A rainwater collection tank supplies our landscaping irrigation.

• Waste Reduction: We partner with a grease collection company to process and compost waste.

• Sustainable Sourcing: We prioritize local ingredients, including AB Beef, Centennial Meats, and seasonal produce.

• Vendor Alignment: We ask potential contractors and vendors about their ESG policies to ensure alignment with our values.

• Single-Use Plastic Reduction: This year, we revamped our menu and packaging to comply with the federal plastics ban and reduce single-use plastics overall.

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): We’ve undertaken intentional steps in our DEI journey, including four all-day, all-staff training sessions and the initiation of a Reconciliation and Decolonization Strategy. These efforts not only foster belonging among staff and volunteers but also help us better serve our communities.

Learn More
Environmental, Social, and Governance Policy
2024 ESG Report Card

Donor Newsletters

Esther Elder

CEO

CEO of Calgary Meals on Wheels with more than 20 years’ experience in the social-profit sector. Esther has held several leadership positions and has a deep understanding of community challenges and opportunities. An energetic, hands-on strategic leader with a passion for building community and effecting social change.

Karen McKeogh

Manager of Charitable Initiatives and Strategic Engagement

Karen started working at Calgary Meals on Wheels in April 2022 in the Philanthropy department and became the Manager in August.  She is responsible for guiding a team of four to achieving each year's fundraising goal through events, campaigns, grant applications and funding proposals. Her department provides all external messaging to the community to educate and engage with Calgarians about the work we do.  

Christine Hentschel

Community Builder and Development Manager

Christine oversees our involvement in community partnerships that support social connection for our clients, and contributes to our collaborative committees and projects in the sector. Christine is also our data guru and has more than a decade of non-profit experience.

Kelly Gauthier

Facility and Logistics Manager

Kelly began volunteering with Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2019 and became a staff driver in March of 2020. A little over a year later, this Regina-born gentleman began working with us full-time as Operations Manager. When not at Meals on Wheels, Kelly spends time with his wife of 28 years, his two kids and his newly born grandson.

Sandra Nicholas

Controller

Sandy joined Calgary Meals on Wheels in May 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience in financial accounting, project management, auditing, and leadership. As an accomplished and dedicated Senior Accountant, she obtained her CPA in 2016. Having lived in Banff and Canmore for 15 years, Sandy has a deep appreciation for the outdoors and takes every opportunity to return to the mountains.

Karen Forster

Production Manager

As a SAIT graduate in Dietary Service Technology, Karen brings decades of experience in food and nutrition. Prior to joining Calgary Meals on Wheels in 2006, she worked with AHS in positions that utilized her expertise in clinical nutrition, production and retail management. She oversees our production department and has developed and mentored a strong and dedicated team of 18 who are passionate about combating food insecurity. Karen maintains our high-quality menu standards by developing standardized recipes, analyzing detailed nutritional data, and procurement of quality products at competitive pricing. Karen also established all our workflow processes for cook chill/cook freeze meal production, maintaining efficiencies and food-safety protocol in all areas of food service production.

Board of Directors

Interested in joining the team? Check out available opportunities here.

A history of helping.

Calgary in 1964 was a growing and relatively affluent city. The civic census taken in January of 1965 indicated a population of 311,116, an increase of 16,192 people over the 1964 census conducted in April.

In Calgary the population of elderly was increasing. The Hospital Chaplaincy Committee of the Calgary Presbytery of the United Church expressed concerns that elderly people living alone were being discharged from hospitals with no support system during their recovery. In January 1964 they requested that the United Church Women study the matter and report back. A pilot project for meal service was recommended. This project, called Calgary Church Women’s Community Care (Meals on Wheels), was registered as a society under the terms of the Societies’ Act of the Province of Alberta and commenced operation on November 15th, 1965 with 8 clients. Meals were prepared in the kitchen of the Calgary North Hill Community YMCA.

At that time $3,459.36 had been raised through May Day teas and individual contributions.

The pilot project continued until February 1967 when the need for the service was confirmed. In 1967 the organization became a United Way Fund agency. In May 1967 Winnifred Hardy was appointed Executive Director and a search began for larger premises.

Onwards and upwards.