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This week, the UrbanTec team traded our keyboards for serving spoons and spent the day at The Alex Community Food Centre in Calgary’s Forest Lawn neighbourhood.
Spoiler alert: it was one of the best team days we’ve had all year.
Volunteering at community meal services might not be in our usual job descriptions, but being there, working alongside The Alex’s dedicated staff and volunteers, reminded us what really matters. Good people doing good work. Simple as that.
If you haven’t been to The Alex CFC yet, you’re missing out on one of Calgary’s best kept secrets. This place is so much more than a community kitchen. It’s a vibrant hub where people come together to grow, cook, share and advocate for good food for all.
The Alex provides access to high quality food in a dignified setting through healthy meals and an affordable produce market, while offering cooking and gardening programs where community members learn skills, find their voices on issues that matter to them, and build lasting friendships. From weekly community lunches to their Fresh and Fare Community Market, from youth cooking programs to elder wellness classes, every program is designed to empower people with skills and community support that lasts.
Walking through their doors, you immediately feel the energy. The space is warm and inviting. There’s laughter, conversation, and the kind of genuine connection that happens when people share a meal together. No barriers, no judgment, just good food and good company.
Our team arrived ready to help with whatever was needed. We served meals, cleaned dishes, wiped down tables, chatted with community members, and basically did whatever would make the day run smoothly for The Alex staff.
What struck us most was how welcoming everyone was. The staff took time to explain their programs and share stories about the community. The volunteers (many of whom have been coming for years) showed us the ropes with patience and humour. And the people who came for lunch? They were friendly, chatty, and clearly valued this space as much more than just a place to eat.
One team member mentioned later that it was refreshing to do work where you could immediately see the impact. No waiting for metrics or quarterly reviews. Just people eating good food, connecting with neighbours, and leaving with a little more than they came with.
At UrbanTec, we talk a lot about company culture. But culture isn’t built in meeting rooms or outlined in employee handbooks. It’s built through shared experiences and shared values. Days like this, where the team comes together to contribute to something meaningful, that’s where culture actually lives.
We also believe businesses have a role to play in their communities beyond the services they provide. Calgary has given us so much as a company. Supporting organizations like The Alex is one small way we can give back.
The Alex has been serving Calgary for over 40 years through their Community Health Centre, and their Community Food Centre has become a vital part of Forest Lawn since 2015. Together with their partners at Community Food Centres Canada, they envision a Canada where everyone has the means and knowledge necessary to access good, healthy food in a dignified way, and the ability and opportunity to be heard on the food issues that affect them.
That vision aligns perfectly with how we think about community, equity, and showing up for each other.
Beyond the obvious (sore feet, full hearts, way too many photos), our team left with some real insights.
First, consistency matters. The Alex isn’t doing flashy one-off events. They’re showing up every single week, building trust and relationships over time. That kind of sustained commitment is what creates real community impact.
Second, dignity is everything. The way The Alex treats every person who walks through their doors, with respect and warmth, sets the tone for everything else. It’s a powerful reminder that how we do things matters just as much as what we do.
Third, collaboration works. The Alex partners with local farmers, cultural organizations, and community groups to create something bigger than any single organization could build alone. Good lesson for business, good lesson for life.
As we packed up and said our goodbyes, the team was already talking about when we could come back. This won’t be a one-time thing for UrbanTec. We’re committed to building a real relationship with The Alex and finding ways to support their work beyond volunteering.
To everyone at The Alex Community Food Centre: thank you for welcoming us, for the work you do every day, and for showing us what community really looks like. You’re building something special in Forest Lawn, and we’re grateful to have been part of it, even for a day.
To other Calgary businesses: if you’re looking for a meaningful volunteer opportunity for your team, reach out to The Alex. Trust us, your team will thank you.
Good food for all isn’t just a nice idea. At The Alex, it’s happening every single day.
