Hope for Hospitality: Community Food Card Program

Canmore is a strong, vibrant community — and it’s our home. For decades, visitors have been inspired by the experiences they’ve had here. We have relied upon dedicated employees to carry out those amazing experiences time and again. And they’ve delivered, from within our hotels, restaurants, retail gems, and from our longest trails and tallest peaks. Now, these people are facing an uncertain road ahead due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Tourism Canmore Kananaskis estimates that across Canmore and Kananaskis, upwards of 80% of the tourism and hospitality industry has been laid off. For those in a position to help, we ask for your assistance. 

Hope for Hospitality is a Canmore-grown initiative that seeks to get $100 food gift cards into the hands of hospitality and tourism workers who need it most. The goal is to connect students, community, and employees in a spirit of hope while providing financial aid. Donations will be collected online and distributed with physical distancing best practices in mind. A foundational donation of $20,000 has been made by Cornerstone Theatre to get things started strong. The initiative will run from April 1st to May 31st with the potential to extend longer as needed.

• Caring businesses and individuals in the area will make an online donation to the program by way of Our Lady of the Rockies Parish, complete with a tax receipt
• With every dollar collected, food gift cards for local grocery stores will be purchased in $100 increments
• Businesses will apply for food gift cards online on behalf of their out-of-work employees
• Tourism Canmore Kananaskis will be receiving requests for need
• Cards will be distributed to businesses, along with messages of hope and artwork crafted by local students, including the Our Lady of the Snow’s Student Council
• Businesses will distribute the cards to the employees

• Go to: http://www.rockiesparish.com/donate.html
• Scroll down to: Canmore Strong Community Food Program
• Submit your donation

If you know of a business that has had to lay off staff, and they’re hoping to make a difference in the lives of their employees, please send them to the following link.

Apply Now

Here, business owners will be able to apply for food cards on behalf of their employees. Priority will be given to out-of-work individuals who are in hospitality or tourism and do not qualify for employment insurance, and businesses that are providing free staff accommodation for at least one month.