News & Stories

More than a Pantry

August 21, 2026

The DI’s Community Pantry

For Eddy, some of the most meaningful moments in his work happen around a kitchen table. As a supportive case manager at one of the Calgary Drop-In Centre’s affordable housing buildings, Greenview Rise, Eddy works with residents who have moved out of shelter and into their own homes. He helps them settle in, get their footing, and work toward the goals that matter to them.

A lot of the time, that starts with food.

What is the Community Pantry?

Each of our 3 affordable housing buildings offer residents access to a fully stocked pantry at no cost. This helps keep folks housed rather than returning to shelter when they had to decide to buy food or pay rent.. For residents adjusting to life outside of shelter, it fills a gap that’s easy to miss from the outside: having enough food at home.

“Food insecurity is still a major hurdle for low-income Calgarians,” Eddy says. “Most especially for shelter clients who have exited homelessness and now they’re in their own apartments.”

Having a home doesn’t always mean having enough income to cover every expense. When groceries are out of reach, the pantry gives people some breathing room.

“I find that food is the great connector for a lot of folks,” Eddy says. “And the fact that we can help someone out until they can get more funds makes people really happy.”

How does food help people focus on bigger goals?

Someone who’s just moved out of shelter is often figuring out a lot at once. It’s hard to focus on managing a home and a budget, reconnecting with health services, or building relationships in a new neighbourhood when you’re hungry.

“Having access to that food essentially helps them focus on stabilizing in all their other areas of their life,” Eddy explains.

What that looks like is different for everyone. Eddy remembers one resident who wanted to learn how to grocery shop, use the food bank, and manage their food needs on their own. The pantry was there while they built those skills. Over time, they needed it less and less.

For Eddy, that’s the whole point. Supportive housing isn’t about doing things for people, but about being there while they build the skills and connections to do those things themselves.

Moving out of shelter can feel lonely. Eddy wants residents to know they don’t have to figure out that transition on their own.

“We want to reiterate that we’re here to support you.”

At Greenview Rise, that support might be a stocked pantry shelf, a conversation over coffee, or a neighbour who says hello in the hallway. On their own, they’re small things. Together, they’re how a new apartment starts to feel like home, and a person builds resilience and independence.