Flames Duo Ignites Hope: Huberdeau and Kirkland Tackle Youth Hunger in Our City
The Powerplay for Our Kids
Calgary, listen up! While our city often cheers for goals on the ice, two of our own, Calgary Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau and Calgary Wranglers center Justin Kirkland, are scoring big for our communities off it. They've just dropped the puck on their new initiative, J&J Powerplay, a program designed to tackle the gnawing issue of food insecurity among Calgary’s youth, focusing its energy directly into the heart of Forest Lawn and Ogden. This isn't just about charity; it's about ensuring our youngest Calgarians have the fuel they need to thrive, right in their own backyard.
By The Numbers: A Hard Truth for Our Households
Let's be blunt: the issue of putting food on the table is hitting home harder than ever for too many of us. In 2023, a staggering 31.9% of Calgarians—that's over 500,000 people—faced food insecurity, meaning they didn't have consistent, reliable access to food due to financial strain. This grim statistic marked Calgary with the highest rate among major Canadian cities. And for our kids? The numbers are even more heartbreaking. As of September 2025, 40% of children in Alberta lived in a food-insecure household, a shocking 30% increase from the previous year. This isn't some abstract problem; it's our neighbours, our classmates, and the kids playing street hockey in communities like Forest Lawn and Ogden. That's why initiatives like J&J Powerplay, working with The Youth Centres of Calgary, are so critical. These centres provide free, inclusive programs, offering meals, mentorship, and a safe space, with their Ogden location opening in summer 2019 and the Forest Lawn centre in September 2024.
Who Pays? Community, City, and a Collective Effort
So, who’s stepping up to bat? The J&J Powerplay program isn’t going it alone. The Flames Foundation, the charitable arm of our beloved NHL team, is throwing its weight behind the initiative with vital financial contributions and ongoing engagement. This kind of robust support helps ensure The Youth Centres of Calgary can continue their invaluable work as a registered non-profit, making a tangible difference in the daily lives of youth in vulnerable communities. And while these grassroots efforts are crucial, it’s worth remembering that our city has laid some groundwork too. The City of Calgary’s CalgaryEATS! Food Action Plan, endorsed way back in 2012, and its subsequent Food Resilience Strategy, both highlight a civic commitment to ensuring all Calgarians have access to healthy, sustainable food, and strengthening the community networks that provide such support.
The Opposition: Beyond the Band-Aid Solutions?
While the immediate relief offered by J&J Powerplay is undoubtedly a lifeline for many, it’s important to acknowledge the broader conversation around food insecurity. Some experts, like Valerie Tarasuk from the University of Toronto’s PROOF research program, caution against relying solely on charity. She argues that at its core, “hunger is an income problem, and when well-meaning people mount major charity drives each December, it can give cover for politicians to do nothing.” It’s a crucial perspective that reminds us that while local heroes like Huberdeau and Kirkland are making an immediate, positive impact, the systemic issues demanding long-term solutions also need our attention. This program provides critical immediate support to children in Ogden and Forest Lawn, but the conversation about sustainable solutions continues to ripple through our city.
The Verdict: Making a Difference, One Meal at a Time
Ultimately, what does J&J Powerplay mean for the everyday Calgarian, especially those living in Forest Lawn and Ogden? It means tangible support, warm meals, and safe spaces for kids who desperately need them. It means that when families are struggling to make ends meet, there's a place where their children can find not just sustenance but also community and mentorship. While the deeper policy debates around income and food security will continue, the immediate impact of Huberdeau and Kirkland’s initiative is clear: it’s putting food on plates, offering hope, and strengthening the fabric of our city, one youth centre at a time. It’s a reminder that even amidst complex challenges, local action and community spirit can truly power change.
