Basic Needs Kits for Vulnerable Calgarians

CUPS serves nearly 6,000 vulnerable Calgarians facing poverty, trauma, and homelessness each year. The rapidly rising cost of living impacts all Calgarians, especially those most vulnerable in our community, making access to basic necessities increasingly difficult for the clients we support at CUPS. To help address this significant impact, we aim to prepare and distribute 750 basic needs kits to CUPS’ clients. As many of the individuals we support are unhoused or staying in encampments and shelters, they are often exposed to the elements and have infrequent access to shower and laundry facilities. Throughout the year, CUPS provides clients with basic needs supplies such as hygiene items, bottled water, and seasonal gear and supplies to help them meet their basic needs and mitigate the risks of living without safe and stable housing. As we head into the winter season, CUPS will focus on distributing cold weather kits (which include items such as hand and foot warmers, hats, boots, snow pants, gloves, scarves, and other essential items) to clients. These supplies help protect vulnerable Calgarians from the serious risks associated with exposure to extreme cold, including frostbite and hypothermia. Even clients with access to income supports or housing subsidies are struggling to make ends meet and, without support, many report that necessary winter supplies and gear are unobtainable. By providing these kits, CUPS can help ensure vulnerable Calgarians have access to the basic supplies they need to stay safe through the winter months.

This idea will benefit vulnerable low-income Calgarians accessing CUPS Community Health Centre. Health and well-being are multifaceted issues that are impacted by the social determinants of health (SDOH) including basic needs, income, relationships, and housing. Unaddressed SDOH needs can exacerbate vulnerable individuals’ complex challenges and create barriers to achieving stability. In addition to helping clients weather winter in Calgary, providing basic needs kits helps to alleviate the financial burden of accessing these items so clients can focus on taking the steps needed to achieve their goals and thrive.

Providing clients with basic needs kits leads to positive outcomes, as it is often an important step to address their unmet needs and build connection. Clients can access a kit from any CUPS’ staff member either on-site at CUPS or during outreach appointments; an individual does not need to be actively engaged with one of CUPS’ programs to receive a kit. This low-barrier approach is especially important as many clients have experienced stigma, judgement, and trauma when navigating systems and services. Providing this vulnerable population with basic needs supplies can be the first step to building connection, trust, and rapport, which ultimately increases clients’ comfort to access CUPS’ integrated services, address their needs, and achieve their goals.  

Ultimately, this idea creates meaningful and lasting impact for all Calgarians as creating opportunities for long-term sustainable change for our low-income clients improves their ability to safely engage and thrive within the wider community.