I Can for Kids Foundation

Taking food insecurity off the table.

I Can for Kids (iCAN) operates a grocery gift card program that has created a major shift in how efficiently and effectively our society can help food-insecure children and families access enough healthy food. And our work is based on quality research.

For over 40 years, Canada has tried to solve food insecurity by donating food to vulnerable children, families, and households. Yet study after study has shown that this approach is fraught with unintended negative consequences. It dictates what people eat without giving them choice or control over their diet. Most importantly, it doesn’t even begin to address the underlying cause: insufficient financial resources. Our income-based approach empowers families with a more dignified way to meet their basic needs and reduce their overall stress levels. That’s why we stopped giving food. We chose to take a bold step forward.

The success of our model is built on longstanding partnerships with dozens of frontline social service agencies in Calgary and central Alberta who have direct relationships with food-insecure families. We established an infrastructure and network that enables us to target tens of thousands of children and families at highest risk. We support children of ALL ages throughout their developing years.

Charity Reg. No: 788073294RR0001