Xpan staff volunteers at Mustard Seed
December 19, 2008
The entire staff of Xpan took a Friday afternoon to volunteer at The Mustard Seed, a Calgary-based humanitarian organization that has been providing services for the homeless, street people of Calgary since 1984. The Xpan crew of 10 went to work wrapping Christmas gifts, packing over 160 food hampers, sorting through clothes and food and general administration duties.
The Mustard Seed has a holistic approach in its ministry to the homeless. It believes in addressing the total person embodied in body, mind and spirit. From this emanates a core value between the staff, volunteers and those they serve. Out of a recognition that homeless persons need opportunities to learn new job skills and develop ways of transitioning from homelessness to the workplace has grown the Creative Centre, which opened its doors in December 2001. The Centre was established to contribute some educationally based solutions for the homeless served by the Mustard Seed’s ministry.
The Mustard Seed also provides meals to an average of 800 people each day. It provides emergency beds and meals for over 300 people at The Seed Foothills Shelter, and supported housing at The Mustard Seed Centre Street location. This includes Step-Up housing for 22 individuals and longer-term transitional housing for 26 persons. Each program helps those at a specific stage in life, from homelessness to a gradual return to independent living.