Written by: Mackenzie Strong
Dinner & a movie or make a difference in the community?
An out-of-the-ordinary date that will make your heart happy, volunteering across Calgary is sure to make for both a memorable and meaningful rendezvous. By showing some local love to the community, you and your date have a chance to learn new things, meet new people and gain a refreshing perspective. Whether you grab your honey or a group of your besties to do good within the ‘hood, these three dates around YYC offer a chance to give back to the city we love to call home.
The Help-the-Homeless Date
For this weekend’s date, head to The Mustard Seed’s Foothills Shelter Location to prepare and serve meals for those who are less fortunate. Opportunities are available seven days a week during breakfast (6 a.m.-8 a.m.), lunch (9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (4 p.m.-6:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) Helping out at the shelter is incredibly rewarding and we guarantee the gratitude and smiles you’ll receive in return will make a lasting impression. Every year, The Mustard Seed serves up 350,000 meals to Calgarians facing homelessness – and you and your date can continue to help make that happen.
The Drop-In & Rehab Centre is one of YYC’s most fundamental organizations that serves the low-income and homeless population by providing clothes to keep them warm and meals to keep their tummies full. If you and your friends want to put your Good Samaritan spirits to work, register with the DI to help out with kitchen prep, serve a meal, or help sort donations in the Clothing Room.
Get behind the scenes, where you’ll help fix some of the 1000 meals the DI prepares everyday. This 2 hour commitment is available in the morning (from 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) and afternoon (1:30 p.m.-5 p.m.) 7 days a week.
Meal serving opportunities are available during Breakfast (7 a.m.), Lunch (noon) & Dinner (6 p.m.), but remember to arrive twenty minutes before meal time!
Sorting items in the clothing room allows the DI to provide shoes, sweaters and other items to those in need 24/7. Opportunities are available daily from 8am to 4pm.
Apply Here for individual and group (4 people+) volunteer opportunities.
The Pretty-Up-the-Planet Date
Show some love to our local parks and pathways by volunteering with the City of Calgary Pathway and River Cleanup! The Ultimate Spring Cleaning Session: thousands of volunteers gather for the event to remove the garbage and litter that collects on our riverbanks over the winter.
Gather all your homies and host your own Litter Cleanup Party in your ‘hood! The Litter Cleanup (TLC) Kits are packed with gloves, garbage bags and hand sanitizer and are provided by the City of Calgary for those who want to take action and tidy up their neck of the woods. For a list of locations to pick up your kit, click here.
The Warm-and-Fuzzy Date
If cuddling kittens all day doesn’t sound like the best date ever, we don’t know what does. Animal Rescue Crew Society (AARCS) and their volunteers work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of abandoned and homeless animals across Alberta. If you and your date are animal lovers looking to volunteer together on a regular basis, there is no better opportunity than to be a dog or cat caregiver at the shelter. Playing, walking and cleaning up after the dogs and cats of the shelter will be your duties.
Connecting lives since 1922, the Calgary Humane Society is always looking for kitty cuddlers, dog lovers and bunny huggers to help out around the shelter. From animal care to event help with their annual Cocktails for Critters silent auction, there are dozens of ways to make a difference in the lives of our YYC animals! Check out the CHS’ list of current volunteer opportunities with varying long-term time commitments, as well as information on volunteer requirements on their website here.
