Centre for the City

Hope. For the City.


We face a growing need for food support. Job support. Training. Help for new Canadians and refugees.

A growing need for belonging. Friendship. Hope.

People in our city are facing a need for help and hope like never before.

We are responding. 

About the Centre for the City


Described as “the first of its kind in Canada” among faith communities, the Centre for the City is an initiative of Centre Street Church, partnering with eight other community organizations in Calgary and part of a national network (Kentro Christian Network) focused on transforming cities to fight poverty across Canada.

The Centre for the City consolidates CSC’s formerly named New Canadian Friendship Centre, and Compassionate Ministries, creating a community hub now operating out of our newly constructed facility expansion at our Central Campus.


The Centre for the City provides:

  • Access to clothing and food support for people in need
  • Classes for new Canadians and refugees
  • Job training, interview help and resume support
  • A place of welcoming and belonging to build community and friendships
  • Opportunities for life change
  • Prayer support
  • Connection to supportive services provided by CSC or community partners
  • And more…

Media event:


Grand Opening and Blue Ribbon Cutting

When: September 28 at 10:45 am

  • Brief speeches from our leaders and Alberta Minister of Immigration and Multiculturalism, Muhammad Yaseen.
  • Photo opportunity of blue ribbon cutting.
  • Interview opportunities
  • Open House

For interview or information requests contact Laurie Griffin at 403-519-6768.


Media Package


Find b-roll of our Centre for the City Here.

Find our backgrounder and history Here.  

Find photos of our Centre for the City in action here.

Find facts and stats about the need in Calgary here.

Did you know?


At the Centre for the City, we are seeing steadily growing numbers of people coming for food and clothing help year after year.

With increased cost of living, more people are turning to churches and agencies for help. The Centre for the City represents a movement calling all Calgarians to be “for the city” in ways they believe they can make a difference during these challenging times – whether it’s helping a neighbour, donating food to the Calgary Food Bank, volunteering for a local agency or giving to a cause that can help and empower people who are struggling.

The needs of our city are increasing in complexity and scale. Responding to the needs of Calgarians today will require all of us to link arms and do our part including the non-profit community, the faith sector, corporate sector, government agencies and Calgarians as individuals.

Since we first opened the doors to our new Centre for the City facility, we’ve seen a stark increase in visits with: 

1333

Monthly average of visits from people coming to the Well Café for food and a place to belong.

544

Monthly average people coming for clothing support.

610

Boxed lunches distributed on average each month.

300

Food hampers distributed on average each month.

336

Average visits from new Canadians attending around 45-60 classes and courses offered each month, such as ESL, cooking, baking and citizenship classes where they can connect, learn more about life in Canada and make new friends.

Centre Street Church is one church in many locations. Each weekend, over 8900 people gather in five locations and online across Calgary and Airdrie to worship and learn about Jesus.

The Need

>50%

Albertans prioritized cost over nutritional value of food more so than a year ago (Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab).

25%

Of Calgary residents can’t meet basic financial needs, up 19% in 2022. (Calgary Foundation).

1 in 3

Calgarians concerned about housing.

25%

Estimated number of Canadians living in poverty according to the latest report from Food Banks Canada.

131K+

Number of immigrants and refugees who came to Alberta in 2023 alone.

436

Number of people experiencing homelessness in Calgary who died in 2023 – nearly double the previous year (239).

$2 Million

Visits to food banks across Canada in March 2023 representing a 32% increase from the previous year.

78%

Increase in visits to food banks across Canada over five years (from March 2019 to March 2023). This is the highest year-over-year increase in usage ever reported.

Our partners and friends

  • Calgary Food Bank
  • HerVictory
  • Teen Challenge
  • Common Ground Foundation
  • Salvation Army
  • The Mustard Seed
  • Mainsprings 
  • Freedom 8848
  • Hope Mission
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