Making Spirits Bright
together, everyone WINS
Did You Know?
Food insecurity is real
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In 2024, about 14% of Calgary residents lived in low-income households, facing significant challenges to meet basic needs.
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44% of parents skipped a meal so their child could eat.
Cold weather, insufficient clothing
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Organizations like Project Warmth report a surge in demand for winter clothing for children, newly arrived immigrants, and vulnerable families.
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Many children arrive at school without coats, boots, or gloves suitable for winter.
Baby essentials are scarce
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In 2024, the Calgary Food Bank distributed more than 28 thousand baby hampers through Emergency Hamper Program
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Families face high costs: a baby uses roughly 2,500 diapers in the first year, which can cost up to CAD $1,200/year, depending on brand.
Homelessness Support
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3,121 people are experiencing homelessness in Calgary.
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Emergency shelter shuttles completed over 1,000 trips during winter 2024–2025, helping people access safe spaces.
Housing and home basics
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The poverty rate (Market Basket Measure) in Calgary was ~9% in 2023.
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Many households struggle with high housing, energy, and transport costs, leaving little for food, clothing, or household basics.
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Homes lacking insulation or heating increase pressure on low-income families to keep children warm and fed.
Sources:
Enough for All – Calgary Poverty Profiles | Enough for All – Food Insecurity Data | Calgary Foundation – Quality of Life Report 2025 | Calgary Food Bank – Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive 2024 | Calgary Food Bank Annual Report 2024 | Global News – Project Warmth Winter Clothing Demand | CityNews Calgary – Winter Shelter Capacity | Livewire Calgary – Emergency Shelter Shuttle | Calgary.ca – Extreme Weather Response Report 2025
How WINS HELP
Every day, WINS helps women and families in Calgary move from crisis to stability.
Through our thrift stores and community programs, we provide access to basic needs, skills development, and empowerment opportunities — all while promoting dignity, sustainability, and hope.
Impact
WINS empowers women and families year-round through thrift stores, community hubs, and employment programs. We offer a variety of services, all designed to support women on their journey to success and independence. In 2024, WINS provided over $1 million worth of basic need goods — including food hampers, hygiene products and baby essentials — to local women and families.
Community
Resource Hubs
Through five community locations, WINS offers free resources, referrals, and employment-readiness programs.
In 2024, over 5,000 women accessed support to gain stability, rebuild confidence, and prepare for sustainable employment.
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Gift Rooms
& Handbags With Heart
During key times of the year, WINS runs special initiatives that brighten lives — from Gift Rooms that help families celebrate the holidays with dignity, to Handbags With Heart, which deliver care packages to women filled with essentials and kindness.
These programs remind families that their community cares — not just during the holidays, but all year long.
Sustainability &
Community Impact
Every item donated or purchased through WINS stores stays out of the landfill and supports local families.
In 2024, more than 3 million pounds of goods were diverted from waste, creating both environmental and social good across Calgary.
Our Mission this Holiday Season:
Making Spirits Bright
Because everyone has varying capacity to give, WINS curated different opportunities for you to make a meaningful impact this holiday season. You can choose to support our mission with cash donations, gift contributions, handbags filled with essentials, volunteering your time, or providing gift cards. Every form of giving counts, and your support makes a local impact right here in Calgary. Together, we can transform the season into a time of compassion, generosity, and hope, improving the lives of those in our Calgary community.
How You Can Help
Different Ways to Give
Cash Donation
Every dollar makes a difference. Your contribution helps ensure that local families receive the support they need to experience a brighter, more hopeful holiday season.
Gift Room
Through Gift Rooms, WINS helps ensure every child feels the joy of receiving a special gift. You can help make the season brighter by donating new, unwrapped gifts that bring smiles and holiday magic to local families.
Handbags With Heart
Help bring joy and kindness to Calgary moms this holiday season. Donate a handbag filled with essentials and small treats that remind women they’re valued and supported.
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Gift Your Time
Your time can make a big difference this holiday season. Join us as a volunteer to help organize donations, prepare gifts, and share joy with families across Calgary.
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Gift Thrift
When you shop at WINS, every purchase gives back. Your holiday shopping helps create brighter futures for women and families in our community.
together
with your help, support, and generosity
everyone
can making spirits bright this holiday season
WINS
impacts lives of those individuals & families in need
together, everyone
You can contribute to our cause in your own way: by spreading the word about our mission. Share it with your friends, co-workers, and across your social networks - knowing that your contributions stay local in Calgary. By working hand in hand to increase awareness, we open more doors for those in need. Share our mission, champion our cause, and help us create a deeper and lasting impact, because...
