veterans food bank

What veterans food bank does

Canadian Veterans Services Society (CAVSS), operating as Veterans Food Bank, is a Canadian registered charity founded in August 2018 by Allan Reid (CRA Charity Number 761280130RR0001). The organization delivers food security and wraparound support services to Canadian Armed Forces veterans (active and retired, all branches and Reserves) and to first responders (police, fire, EMS), free of charge. Core services include food distribution, group and individual therapy including PTSD evaluation, short-term financial assistance for rent and bills, clothing (new and gently used), laundry facilities, tax and dental clinics, employment and back-to-work training, and the 142-acre Clearwater Retreat in Caroline, Alberta, offering free cabin accommodations.

The operating model is community-led and donation-funded. Five warehouse locations are currently active across Alberta (Calgary headquarters, Edmonton, Red Deer) and British Columbia (Kelowna, Victoria), with eight additional provincial sites publicly announced. Revenue streams include individual donations (single and recurring, accepted via website, CanadaHelps, and cheque), merchandise sales through an online shop ($15–$60 per item), and a Clearwater Retreat cabin sponsorship program ($10,000–$17,500 per cabin). An in-house e-commerce platform and a CanadaHelps integration constitute the principal technology footprint; the organization has no proprietary AI, data, or software systems, and there are no disclosed APIs or SDKs.

Distribution is primarily through physical warehouse retail with a dignity-focused private shopping model (clients select their own items, receiving 10–14 days of food per visit), supplemented by volunteer delivery for homebound clients. CAVSS is accredited under Food Banks Canada's Standards of Excellence (2024) and maintains a broad partner ecosystem spanning Food Banks Canada, Food Banks Alberta, the Veterans Transition Network, The Legion Foundation, CFMWS, Retrain Canada, the John Howard Society, Brick House Recovery Centre, Badge of Life Canada, and corporate donors including Costco, Sysco, Co-Op, Cobs Bread, and Lockheed Martin, with grant funding from the Calgary Foundation.

Name

veterans food bank

Legal name

Canadian Veterans Services Society

Website

https://cavss.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Canadian Veterans Services Society (Veterans Food Bank) is a Calgary-based registered charity founded in 2018 that provides free food, therapy, financial, clothing, and retreat services to Canadian Armed Forces veterans and first responders across multiple provinces, with national expansion underway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran and First Responder Social Services

NAICS

Community Food Services (62421)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Assistance & Food Banks (BPAGAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Food Assistance & Safety Nets (In-Kind, Vouchers, Cash Transfers) (BPADAJAA)

Keywords

• Veteran food assistance
• First responder support services
• Charity food distribution
• Free therapy and counselling
• Community retreat accommodation

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Monetary Donations: 100% of monetary donations are invested in providing veterans assistance and services. Receives both single and monthly contributions via website, CanadaHelps platform, and cheque donations.
2. Merchandise Sales: Operates an e-commerce shop selling branded merchandise including clothing, hats, BBQ sauce, and accessories. Items priced from $15 to $60.
3. Cabin Sponsorship Program: Clearwater Retreat cabin sponsorship program ranging from $10,000 to $17,500 per cabin, allowing companies to sponsor cabins with exterior plaques.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Veterans Food Bank provides free food security and holistic wraparound support to Canadian Armed Forces veterans, Reserves, and first responders through warehouse-based food banks in BC and Alberta. Services include 10-14 days of food per visit, therapy (group, individual, PTSD evaluation), employment support, clothing, laundry, financial assistance, and tax/dental clinics. The organization also operates the Clearwater Retreat, a 142-acre property in Alberta offering free cabin accommodations.

Product overview

Canadian Veterans Services Society operates Veterans Food Bank locations across Canada, providing a comprehensive one-stop shop for veterans and first responders. The core offerings include food security through multiple warehouse locations (Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Kelowna, Victoria), therapy services (group therapy, individual therapy, PTSD evaluation), employment services, financial assistance, clothing, laundry facilities, tax and dental clinics, and the Clearwater Retreat for respite. The organization also operates a retail shop selling branded merchandise. Services are provided free of charge to military veterans and first responders regardless of retirement status.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of donations invested in veteran services
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Food Banks CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational food bank network providing accreditation, standards, and support. CAVSS is accredited under Food Banks Canada Standards of Excellence.
• Food Banks AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial food bank network supporting operations in Alberta
• Veterans Transition NetworkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanada-wide organization providing transition support and programs for veterans
• Diversified Rehabilitation GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRehabilitation services provider for veterans
• The Newly InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and wellness services provider
• The Legion FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans support organization serving BC and Yukon
• Retrain CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining and employment support services for veterans
• CFMWS (Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Morale and Welfare organization for Canadian Forces
• John Howard SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity-based organization supporting individuals involved with the justice system
• CostcomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWarehouse retailer providing food donations and support
• SyscomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood service distributor providing food products
• Co-OpmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail cooperative providing food donations
• Cobs BreadminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBakery providing bread donations
• Lockheed MartinmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerDefense contractor supporting veteran initiatives
• TK RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRanch providing meat and food products
• Ellis Street MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal market providing fresh produce
• BC TransitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTransit services supporting veteran transportation needs
• The Veteran HuntersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeteran hunting organization providing game meat donations
• To Serve and Connect SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlberta-based veteran support organization
• I Can for KidsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable organization supporting children's nutrition
• ANA F #376minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans organization providing support services
• City Centre Vet ClinicminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterinary services for veteran pet owners
• Top Shelf EnergyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company supporting veteran initiatives
• Community KitchenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal organization providing food preparation support
• Valhalla CounsellingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health counselling services in New Brunswick
• Brick House Recovery CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubstance use and mental health treatment provider for Mental Health Symposium
• Boots on the GroundmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnonymous helpline for first responders dealing with operational stress injuries
• Veterans Elite Drone Training ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrone training program for veterans at Mental Health Symposium
• The Rolling BarrageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFundraising event supporting veteran organizations at Mental Health Symposium
• Badge of Life CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization supporting public safety personnel with operational stress injuries

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Calgary Food Bank: General-purpose food bank operating in CAVSS's home city of Calgary with a warehouse-based distribution model and donation-driven revenue. Most direct local comparability on operating model, though CAVSS adds therapy and retreat services and targets only veterans and first responders.
• Edmonton Food Bank: Provincial food bank headquartered in Edmonton operating warehouse distribution and donation-driven food assistance. Directly comparable to CAVSS on geographic market, distribution model, and accreditation under Food Banks Canada, but serves the general population.
• Wounded Warriors Canada: National Canadian charity dedicated to supporting veterans and first responders with mental health, transition, and family programs. Comparable on beneficiary population, national scope, and donation-driven funding, though focused on clinical/transition services rather than food security.
• Soldier On: Canadian veteran-support charity delivering physical, mental, and social rehabilitation programs to ill and injured veterans. Comparable on beneficiary population, mission scope, and donation-based funding, though without food-distribution operations.
• Veterans Transition Network: Canada-wide organization providing transition support programs for veterans, including trauma-focused therapy. Listed as a CAVSS strategic partner, making it a tightly coupled peer on mission, beneficiary population, and clinical service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Food Banks Canada: National umbrella network that accredits CAVSS under its Standards of Excellence. Broader incumbent operating across the entire Canadian food bank sector rather than the veteran niche; relevant as the standards-setter and grant conduit for CAVSS.
• Royal Canadian Legion: Largest Canadian veterans service organization with national branches, advocacy mandate, and broad veteran welfare programming. A broader incumbent competing for veteran-focused donor dollars and government recognition.
• Food Banks Alberta: Provincial food bank association supporting food banks across Alberta, including CAVSS's Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary warehouses. Operates as an enabling body rather than a direct service provider, and is listed as a CAVSS strategic partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/veteransfoodbanknl

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about veterans food bank