“The Calgary Transit buses will be ready and waiting at all Calgary Co-ops on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm,” says Ron Collins, communications coordinator for Calgary Transit. “Our volunteer drivers are always eager to help out for this worthwhile cause.”

“The year ahead is truly unknown,” states Karen Warrington, Development Coordinator for the Calgary Food Bank. “Things are improving slowly but there are still families that need our support to thrive. Stuff a Bus is one of the premier Food Bank events in Calgary and it truly helps our community.”

Representatives from Calgary Transit, the Calgary Food Bank and Calgary Co-op will be on hand on November 5th at the newest Calgary Co-op food store located in Quarry Park at 163 Quarry Park Blvd. SE (between the neighborhoods of Riverbend and Douglas Glen) to speak with the media from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“As a former firefighter in Calgary, I saw many people without shelter or warm clothing during the winter, and knew we had to help. Calgary Co-op stepped up to support this initiative and
have become one of our biggest supporters, “says Jonathon Fesik, head of Project Warmth.

“As a local company, we care about people in our community and wanted to do our part. It is hard to imagine that in a city as prosperous as Calgary, there are still so many people who need
a hand,” says Cindy Drummond, communications manager for Calgary Co-op.

A life-time membership costs only a dollar at Calgary Co-op, but the benefits are priceless which include a yearly patronage return, Revved up Rewards coupons from the gas bar, events and other special offers.

Deb Hetland of Calgary and Mary Parr of Banff each won a side of beef from Calgary Co-op after visiting the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede. Calgary Co-op offered two opportunities for visitors to enter this draw. The first was in the Kitchen Theatre, located in the BMO Centre and the second was part of the Cattle Trail, a new exhibit that was located in the Agriculture building and allowed visitors to discover how beef made its way from pasture to plate in an educational,life-like presentation. Calgary Co-op’s Chief Executive Officer, Deane Collinson made the draws on Tuesday, June 19th. "

We were thrilled to play a big part in the Stampede this year; it makes sense since both Calgary Co-op and the Stampede play a big part in the history of Calgary and its roots. We hope both of our winners enjoy their prize; approximately 200lbs of beef cut from AA western Canadian beef.”

Beginning tomorrow, Calgary Co-op members and customers can show their support for our northern neighbors by taking part in the Calgary Co-op Slave Lake Fire Relief Effort During the campaign which runs May 27-June 15, 2011, Calgary Co-op members, customers and employees can make donations at any of our 23 food centres. Ten dollar donation vouchers will be easily available in the centres, or people have the option of donating any amount to this worthwhile cause. All funds donated will be sent directly to the Canadian Red Cross Calgary office

"We have always been grateful for Calgary Co-op's support of our work around the world; now at this difficult time, we are very proud to work together in our very own back yard,”says Andres Gutierrez, Fund Development Coordinator for the Canadian Red Cross.

Calgary Co-op Whole Health Challenge participants were encouraged to register for this family-fun event, as a way to celebrate their success, and continue in their journey towards a healthier lifestyle. The race, also opened to the public, supports a larger cause as all proceeds will benefit the Pediatric Obesity Foundation.

Leading children for the Toonie 2K portion of the race is legendary Martin Parnell, a Cochrane resident who ran 250 marathons in 2010 or a total of 12,978,650 steps. If anybody can inspire children to stay active, it's Martin Parnell, says Trent Lane,Pharmacy Operations Director for Calgary Co-op. Martin has a passion for kids and sports, but also considers himself an everyday guy. We hope that after parents and their children meet Martin and hear his story, they will strive to meet their own goals or aspirations

"Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Due to living in an obesogenic environment, intervention provides children the opportunity to live a happier, healthier life,” says, Dr. Liann Meloff, PhD, R. Psych., C.E.O. Pediatric Obesity Foundation. "We are excited to be the charitable recipients of the 2011 Whole Health Challenge Charity Run and encourage to look for opportunities to exercise and keep fit as a family"

In 2010, Calgary Co-op saved over 63,000 trees due to their recycling efforts in the Cascades Recovery program. This program encourages companies to recycle their cardboard rather than sending the packaging to landfills. Every metric tonne of cardboard recycled is the equivalent of saving 17 mature trees.

" We are extremely proud of this accomplishment," says Rob Morphew, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Calgary Co-op. We have been a part of this initiative for several years. Each year we work hard to increase our efforts to reduce our environmental footprint. In 2009, we saved 57,870 trees, so a ten per cent increase in the number of trees saved in 2010 is something we can feel good about.

In addition to this environmental program, Calgary Co-op has offered a grocery shopping bag recycling service for more than 15 years, long before other plastic bag recycling initiatives. Our Bags to Riches program enables customers to re-use and recycle their plastic and other shopping bags when in our stores," says Morphew. "Last year, our customers donated over $44,000 to local charities through this program. We strive to maintain a leadership position for environmental stewardship," says Rob.

Our newest Calgary Co-op Quarry Park location is the first of its kind in Western Canada. Using CO2 and Glycol refrigeration systems and 100 per cent heat reclamation at Quarry Park will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower utility costs and save energy. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is like removing 800 to 900 cars from the road every year."

“We will kick off our Food Drive on Monday, November 15 with XL 103 FM broadcasting live from inside a Calgary Transit bus from a different Calgary Co-op location between November 15 and 19, with the main Food Drive being held at all Calgary Co-ops on Saturday, November 20,” says Cindy Drummond, manager of communications for Calgary Co-op.

From November 15 – 20, people can drop off non-perishable food items at any Calgary Co-op food centre or they can make a cash donation at our tills. On Saturday, volunteers from Calgary Co-op, Calgary Transit and the Calgary Food Bank will also be onsite to accept donations.

“This year has been particularly hard for people,” states Heidi Lambie, Development Coordinator for the Calgary Food Bank. “Our goal is to gather as many donations as possible to lessen the burden on individuals and families in need. Stuff a Bus is one of the premier Food Bank fundraisers in Calgary and truly helps our community.”

Calgary Co-op Media Release
Stuff a Bus Food Drive on November 20, 2010

Representatives from Calgary Transit, the Calgary Food Bank and Calgary Co-op will be on hand on November 20th at the Calgary Co-op Shawnessy Centre (250 Shawville Blvd. S.W.) to speak with the media from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.

For More Information, contact:
Cindy Drummond
Manager, Communications
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Phone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6137
Cell: 403-660-7197

Heidi Lambie
Development Coordinator – Food Industry
Calgary Food Bank
Phone: 403-319-0827

Ron Collins
Communications Coordinator
Calgary Transit
Phone: 403-537-7949

Calgary Co-op Wines & Spirits has shaken up a new mix of service, selection and savings in Okotoks. This new 4,200 square foot store offers a large selection of cold beer and wine, expert advice and help with event planning, discounts on large orders, in-store tastings, weekly specials, liquor licenses and free carryouts. And, as with all Calgary Co-op locations, each purchase will help boost members’ patronage returns. With benefits like this, it comes as no surprise that Calgary Co-op Wines & Spirits was voted as the Gold Winner Best Liquor Store and Secondary Winner for Best Wine Store in the Calgary Herald 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards.

All members of the media are invited to attend this event as we raise a glass and toast the newest Calgary Co-op Wines & Spirits location in Okotoks.

Calgary Co-op Okotoks Wines & Spirits is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.calgarycoopwinesandspirits.com.

Calgary Co-op Wine & Spirits is a division of Calgary Co-op and currently operates in 19 locations in Calgary, Strathmore, Airdrie and Okotoks. Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America. With over 438,000 members, 4,000 employees, assets of $393 million and annual sales of just over $1 billion, Calgary Co-op is an active participant in the communities it serves, and supports the philanthropic goals of the Alberta's Promise Program, which encourages companies to support charities that benefit children and families.

For More Information, contact:
Cindy Drummond
Web Content Communication Manager, Member and Public Relations
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Phone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6137
Cell: 403-660-7197

Calgarians can drop clean, used winter jackets, pants, hats and mitts at any Calgary Co-op food centre or City of Calgary Fire hall from October 18 to 31, 2010.

“As a former firefighter in Calgary, I saw a lot of people without shelter or warm clothing during the winter, and knew we had to help, so we contacted Calgary Co-op, who immediately jumped on board and has been one of our biggest sponsors over the years,”says Jonathon Fesik, head of Project Warmth.

“As a local company, we care about people in our community and wanted to do our part. It is hard to imagine that in a city as prosperous as Calgary, there are still so many people who need our help, and we are happy to be involved,” states Cindy Drummond, manager of communications for Calgary Co-op.

About Project Warmth
Project Warmth Society of Alberta is a registered charitable association formed to assist the homeless and the underprivileged by collecting, cleaning and distributing warm winter clothing for those who need our help the most.

About Calgary Co-op
Locally owned and operated, Calgary Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operatives in North America, with over 438,000 members, 4,000 employees, assets of $393 million and annual sales of just over $1 billion. Calgary Co-op is an active participant in the communities it serves and supports the philanthropic goals of the Alberta's Promise Program, which encourages companies to support charities that benefit children and families.

For More Information, contact:
Cindy Drummond
Manager Communications, Member and Public Relations
Calgary Co-operative Association Limited
Phone: 403-219-6025, ext. 6137
Cell: 403-660-7197