The Bread App is Launched!
Franco Savoia
The Bread app was launched on Monday November 18, 2024. The focus of the app is to improve access for Calgarians who need emergency food. Bread has been a long time in coming. This initiative began in June 2020. With the encouragement of some of our members, Vibrant Communities and the Canadian Poverty Institute initiated a study of emergency food in our city. One finding was the fragmented approach to the provision of emergency food that made emergency food seekers into “hunter gatherers.”
One of the 11 recommendations focused on improving coordination and improving access. Several Rotary Clubs and Vibrant Communities formed a committee to address this recommendation. The committee consulted with several providers. The notion evolved of creating “one window” for accessing emergency food.
The idea of creating an app was finalized in March 2023 at an estimated cost of $80,000. RCCD contributed the first $25,000. The Rotary Club of Calgary West donated $5,000. The United Way and the Calgary Foundation followed with contributions of $25,000 and $30,000 respectively.
NSTEP assumed the role of fiscal agent and charitable sponsor for the collaboration. NSTEP signed a contract with Technology Helps to develop and launch the app. Technology Helps began its work in September 2023. The process included consultation with both providers and seekers of emergency food. The beta was tested with some providers. Thirty-five participated in the November 18th launch. Seekers are now able to go on Bread, enter their neighbourhood and they will know who is providing emergency food and whether there are any criteria for accessing food. In turn, the providers can update their capacity as needed.
The onboard process for providers continues. There are in excess of 150 emergency food providers in our City. The goal is to have all on Bread. Our ask: Encourage all emergency food emergency food providers to onboard with the app. Over time through social media seekers will be encouraged to use Bread. Food security is one of RCCD’s areas of focus. To that end, Rotary is an member of the YYC Food Collaborative.
We are seeking a few club members in improving food security in our community. For more information, contact fsavoia@shaw.ca.