Want to save money? The TGCA can help

"...a vibrant community can save everyone money – by keeping property values up, advocating for commerce and infrastructure, offering opportunities for skill building through volunteering or employment, and providing space for important neighbour-to-neighbour networks."

Times are tough, there’s no question, and there’s no telling when – or even if – prices will come back down. If you’re looking for ways to loosen the grip of inflation, we’ve got some programs and info that could help.

 

Whether you’re looking for more affordable groceries; post-secondary funding; a way to subsidize your child’s extra-curriculars; ways to save some money on fitness, entertainment and gatherings; or info about helpful civic and area agencies and resources we’ve likely got options for you and your family.

 

Full disclosure: most of the following money saving suggestions apply to members of the TGCA, but before you dismiss this as a sales pitch, consider that a membership at the community association is only $15/year or less and can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year, depending on how you use it.

 

Here’s a couple ways we can support you in your money saving efforts, regardless or whether you have a membership or not.

 

No membership required:

  1. Good Food Box

The Good Food Box makes top-quality, fresh food available in a way that does not stigmatize people, fosters community development and promotes healthy eating. The program is coordinated by the Community Kitchen Program of Calgary and the TGCA is one of many depots across Calgary. The boxes include seasonal fruits and veggies and are offered most months of the year. You can choose from the small box (15-20 lbs) – $25; medium box (25-30 lbs) – $30; large box (35-40 lbs) – $35 and purchase yours on our site or in the office, then pick up on the designated pick up days. For around $1 per pound, these boxes are getting more and more popular all the time. More info and ordering.

  1. Community services for those in need page

Although the community association is not a social agency, we work closely with our public and private sector non-profit counterparts throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for issues affecting residents in the area and across the city. Our community services page includes a number of agencies and resources that provide help to families, individuals and seniors in the area and across the city. If you are looking for financial, educational or social support, find more info here.  

 

Money-saving features of the TGCA membership:

  1. The TGCA Fee Assistance Initiative (FAI)

The TGCA offers opportunities for parents of children in TGCA-approved youth programs – sport, arts and other- to work shifts here at the centre at the bingo nights to subsidize their program fees. This subsidy is sent directly to your child’s program administrators and we have an easy and efficient online signup method too. FAI participants get $55 per shift toward program fees and can put them toward multiple programs for multiple children. Find out more about the TGCA FAI here.

  1. Discounted and low-cost programs

You’ll save 1/3 on all adult and youth programs at the TGCA on Hatha Yoga, adult and youth art classes, Sit & Be Fit senior fitness classes, and have member exclusive access to our low-cost volleyball and racquetball leagues, as well as the very popular kids’ Gym Night program, our Drop-in Quilting Group and the TGCA camp ground too.

  1. Free and discounted services
  • Bowling alley bookings – 10% off
  • Racquetball/Wallyball bookings – 10% off
  • Hall bookings – discount dependant on years of continuous membership | after 2 years, 25% off; 5 years, 30% off; 10 years, 35% off; 15 years, 40% off; 20 years, 45% off; 25 years, 50% off & lifetime members receive 50% off.
  • Free skating on our arena on Sundays and Wednesdays.
  • Discounted event registration to many TGCA events, like the annual Halloween Family Dinner and Dance.
  1. Great offers from our TGCA Business Members

We’ve got a bunch of great local business members for you to support, who will support you right back! Each business member has an offer for TGCA members that could really make a difference in your bottom line, for example Thorncliffe Family Dental offers 10% off of all services, which could amount to $100s maybe $1000s of dollars every year! More info here. 

  1. The TGCA Scholarship

Every summer the TGCA awards a scholarship to one or two graduates from John Diefenbaker, James Fowler, St. Francis and Notre Dame High Schools. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic standing and community involvement to provide financial assistance for students to continue studies beyond the high school level. The TGCA has been proudly supporting local young people’s education since 1980. More info here.

 

Creating community saves us all money in a number of ways. Supporting the community association supports quality of life and community building in the neighbourhood, and in many ways, a vibrant community can save everyone money – by keeping property values up, advocating for commerce and infrastructure, offering opportunities for skill building through volunteering or employment, and providing space for important neighbour-to-neighbour networks.

TGCA Programming & Community Engagement Coordinator

Programming and Community Engagement Coordinator at the TGCA, v.gillard@tgcacalgary.com

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