With a bitter cold snap gripping the city, dozens of Calgarians experiencing homelessness found a warm refuge and a festive meal this week, a gesture that for some may be their only Christmas celebration.
A Warm Refuge from the Cold
On Monday afternoon, December 22, 2025, the Journey Church in Calgary's far northwest Rocky Ridge neighbourhood opened its doors. Volunteers served pizza, cookies, pudding, and distributed gift bags from beneath a decorated tree to those seeking shelter from the dangerously low temperatures.
Curtis Redman, 32, who stays at the Mustard Seed shelter, expressed his gratitude for the rare act of kindness. "It's very kind of them — I don't see too many other people helping," he said. For him, Christmas Day has lost its special meaning, now just another day since he no longer has family to spend it with.
Holiday Spirit Meets Harsh Reality
The church operates as one of the city's few year-round warming centres, and its day space has been exceptionally busy as people flee the cold and what they describe as a perilous environment downtown. "It's overwhelming — I've never seen it this busy," noted Redman.
Another attendee, who gave only his first name Duncan, shared his stark reality. He spends nights in a fort he built under a tree somewhere in the city. While thankful for the food and warmth, he reflected on the season, stating, "People say they have Christmas memories but I've got none worth mentioning." He added a poignant observation about the event's deeper purpose: "This is what it's all about, making normal connections and being understanding, but it should be practised all the time."
Faith in Action During the Holidays
Youth pastor Logan Johnson acknowledged that the holidays are a particularly difficult time for the city's most vulnerable residents. "Someone has to love these people and we need to make sure our faith is in action," Johnson said. He emphasized that the interaction benefits the youth volunteers as much as the guests, allowing them to hear personal stories and histories, fostering empathy and connection.
The need for such spaces is acute. In the days leading up to the pizza party, the church's sunlit lobby was packed with members of the vulnerable population. Despite the approaching holiday, a festive spirit was scarce, overshadowed by the basic need for warmth and safety. The event underscored a critical community need that extends far beyond the Christmas season, highlighting the ongoing struggle faced by Calgary's homeless population, especially during the city's harsh winter months.
