The Mustard Seed 

 Happy New Year, Digital friends! As we begin a new year, we are excited to continue sharing local charities and highlighting the amazing things they are doing in and around our communities!  

To kick off 2022, we are thrilled to be featuring The Mustard Seed. Keep reading to find out more about this incredible organization and how you can help support their work. 

You have likely heard about The Mustard Seed as they have been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984. A Christian, non-profit organization, which operates in five cities across Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed is a supportive haven where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence. With locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Medicine Hat (they also have a location in Kamloops, BC), they provide a variety of services.  

These include: 

• Basic Needs – Emergency shelter, meals, clothing, and hygiene items 
• Health and Wellness 
• Housing 
• Employment 
• Spiritual Care 
• Community Engagement 
• Neighbour Centres 

It is no surprise that The Mustard Seed has helped a significant number of our most vulnerable individuals in the communities they serve, and the work they do is incredibly important. In 2021, across all five locations, they have provided over 42,000 wellness services, have donated 665, 948 lb of clothing, have served 447, 421 meals, have moved 492 people out of homelessness and into housing, and have served over 300 guests! 

Like many non-profit organizations, these past two years have been increasingly challenging; trying to provide much needed services and navigating the concerns and limitations of the Pandemic. However, even though the Pandemic has changed many things in our world, it has also provided The Mustard Seed opportunities that have required creative solutions and flexibility.  

Due to the generous support of the community, The Mustard Seed were able to innovative and adapt by offering virtual, over-the-phone, and video conferencing supports. These includes: health and wellness programs, counselling, employment assistance, housing advocacy, government financial assistance, case management, and much more.  

In Edmonton, thanks again to the support of the community, The Mustard Seed launched a new program called Dinner 2 Door, which is a delivery service where nutritious meals are prepared, packaged, and delivered free of charge by volunteers to the doorsteps of those in need. 

Community support is vital to organizations such as The Mustard Seed. If you wish to help, they encourage volunteering, or donating urgently needed items. There are also other ways to give, which can be found here. They are also excited for the upcoming virtual event, Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY). This event is a winterrific family-friendly walk to help raise money for local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. On Saturday, February 26, 2022, team up, walk, and fundraise! For more information on this fantastic event, please click here. 

We are thankful to The Mustard Seed for the incredible work that they do in our community in helping those who need it most!