Calgary’s struggling families find relief and support at Dashmesh Culture Centre
The Dashmesh Culture Centre (DCC) in Calgary is a community-focused organization known for its commitment to helping those in need.
Food insecurity is a growing problem in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, 18 per cent of Canadian families and 6.9 million people experienced food insecurity in 2022.
DCC addresses these issues by offering free hot meals every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. This daily service, also known as the langar service provides a warm and nutritious meal to anyone who needs it.
In addition to the langar, it operates a food bank to further support the community. The food bank is open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and provides essential groceries such as fruits, vegetables and other items.
The langar service helps address immediate hunger and creates a sense of community and belonging. The meals are vegetarian, making them inclusive and suitable for a variety of dietary needs.
"We provide free tiffins every day to around 500-700 people," said Gurvir Singh, a volunteer at DCC.
Dedicated volunteers prepare, cook and serve the meals. These volunteers come from different backgrounds but share a desire to give back to the community. Their teamwork and purpose create an atmosphere of warmth and generosity.
People are having langar at the Dashmesh Culture Centre on Sunday, August 04, 2024. Langar is a free community meal served to everyone. (Video by Sukhneet Kaur, The Press)
The DCC food bank is particularly crucial for families and individuals who may not be able to access the langar service regularly.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2023, the percentage of people living in severely food-insecure households increased from 4 per cent to 6 per cent , while those in moderately food-insecure households rose from 8.9 per cent to 10.9 per cent.
A report from the University of Toronto also shows that 20.3 per cent of households in Alberta experience food insecurity, which means one in five families faces difficulties in accessing sufficient food because of financial limitations.
To tackle these issues, DCC combines its food bank services with langar to meet immediate food needs and create a supportive community in Calgary.
They get donations from local businesses, organizations, and community members. Volunteers are vital to the food bank’s operations. They help with sorting and distributing food to ensure it reaches those in need.
The Dashmesh Culture Centre is deeply committed to extending its support to people in need beyond Calgary.
"We are collecting funds for the Jasper residents," said Singh.
"Our help is not limited to Calgary residents, we are trying to help everyone who is in need."
In addition to addressing food insecurity, it also helps by offering other assistance. Their dedicated volunteers connect individuals with a variety of essential services, including housing assistance and health-related support.
This video showcases the donations made for the residents of Jasper who have been affected by the fires on Sunday, August 04, 2024. (Video by Sukhneet Kaur, The Press)
Struggles of students
International students often face significant obstacles when studying abroad. Financial pressures can be overwhelming, with tuition fees and living expenses stretching budgets to the limit. Many students also struggle with the high cost of groceries and adjusting to new food environments.
According to a national survey by Meal Exchange, about 75 per cent of international students faced food insecurity in 2021.
The Dashmesh Culture Centre offers vital support to international students. This resource allows students to access healthy food at no charge, reducing their financial stress and ensuring they have the nutrition needed to succeed in their studies.
Amardeep Singh moved to Canada this year and is studying at Bow Valley College. He struggled to afford food but got help from the DCC. They provided him with the support he needed and he is very thankful for that.
"The time came when there was no stuff in my refrigerator," said Singh.
This assistance allowed him to focus on his studies and adjust to his new life in Canada. Singh's experience shows how important it is to have community support for international students facing financial difficulties.
Amardeep Singh expresses his gratitude to the Dashmesh Culture Centre in Martindale, Calgary on Sunday, August 04, 2024. Singh is a student at Bow valley college. (Video by Sukhneet Kaur, The Press)
