Role of the Samaritan Club of Calgary in the funding ecosystem
The Samaritan Club of Calgary is a long‑standing, volunteer‑run charitable organization dedicated to providing short‑term assistance to low‑income individuals and families living in Calgary. Founded in 1910, the Club raises funds through community events such as its semi‑annual Super Thrift Sale, golf tournaments, casinos and other activities, then redistributes these resources through several targeted programs. Because members cover administrative costs through annual dues, 100% of the money raised is directed to people in need.
Main programs and forms of support
The Club operates a Family Assistance program that offers emergency support in the form of Calgary Co‑op vouchers for groceries and prescription medications. These vouchers help more than a thousand adults and children each year and are intended as a last resort once other community resources have been explored. Requests are made by health care professionals, social workers or community support workers, and clients can typically receive help once every 12 months.
Through its Special Requests funding, the organization helps finance aids to daily living and equipment that improve the quality of life for disadvantaged or disabled Calgarians. Funding is usually paid directly to vendors, may be cost‑shared with other agencies, and is subject to clear guidelines on eligible needs and excluded costs. The Club also supports camperships so that children who could not otherwise afford it can attend local camps, focusing on grassroots and underserved programs where public or corporate funding is limited.
Another historic pillar is the Layettes program. Volunteers assemble more than 700 layette bundles annually, containing diapers, clothing and other essential baby items, which are distributed to Calgary hospitals, post‑partum clinics and agencies serving low‑income new mothers. In addition, the Club partners with Education Matters to provide scholarships for graduates of specific alternative education programs, helping them pursue post‑secondary studies.
Eligibility, referrals and operating model
The Samaritan Club does not work directly with clients; all requests must come from recognized professionals who verify need and confirm that other sources of assistance have been considered. Core eligibility criteria include residence in Calgary and, for certain programs, meeting provincial low‑income thresholds. Support is time‑limited and complementary to other social services, functioning as an “agency of last resort” for people facing sudden crises such as job loss, illness or other disruptive events.
The Club operates from September to June as a 100% volunteer organization. Its programs blend financial aid, in‑kind goods and cost‑shared funding with partner organizations, making it a distinctive local funder of emergency assistance, practical equipment, infant supplies, education pathways and inclusive camp experiences for vulnerable Calgarians.