Inn From The Cold’s 15th Anniversary Video

"Inn from the Cold (the Inn) is Calgary’s original and largest emergency family shelter.”

The Inn began out of a community concern for the growing number of people facing homelessness during the bitterly cold winter of 1996/97. Volunteers from several local churches met to discuss how they could help.

On May 2, 1997, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church opened its doors to provide shelter and hope to Calgary’s homeless families and others in need. Since then, a number of inter-denominational churches, synagogues, mosques, community associations and organizations have come together to provide emergency shelter and resources for Calgary’s homeless. These Community Inns continue to operate on a rotating basis, 365 days a year, and are located in communities across Calgary.

A New Chapter

In October 2008, Inn from the Cold opened Calgary’s first Emergency Family Shelter, located in the heart of the Beltline community.

Today, families stay in our downtown shelter and in our Community Inns, both of which operate with the help of over 2,700 committed volunteers.

Source: Innfromthecold.org

Quote from Bartle & Gibson Calgary branch employee Kiam Low:

"Friday’s Christmas volunteer opportunity at Calgary’s Inn from the Cold was exceptional. The morning shift consisted of unloading tents, portable heaters, tables, propane tanks, and supplies. We constructed a drop off location for sponsors to come and deliver gifts for families of the Inn. Throughout the morning some of the Bartle & Gibson employees assisted in labeling and boxing up gifts and organizing the incoming donations. Others helped in the childcare area. We were then given a tour of the facility and we were shown some of the living quarters of the families. It was hard to conceive how many families were living at the Inn and how little possessions they had. We were then given the opportunity to have lunch and sit in the main dining room with the staff and families. After lunch, we assisted with the Toy Store where parents were given the opportunity to come and pick out toys for their children. We helped with selection and wrapping their gifts as Santa Clause entertained the kids.

Thank you Bartle & Gibson, for giving your employees the opportunity to volunteer and participate in this excellent charity. It was fantastic."