Hunger Count 2010

The Food Assistance Network is made up of over 100 agencies and programs that provide food assistance in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and the four townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley,Wilmot, and Woolwich. Agencies are working together to improve the coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of the local food assistance system, in order to best meet the needs of those requiring food from food banks, hamper and cupboard programs, meal and residential programs, and community centres. For more information, please visit the website www.waterlooregionshares.ca.

The numbers below provide a one month snapshot of hunger within our Region.  According to a recent report by Region of Waterloo Public Health1, "In 2010, the cost of the Nutritious Food Basket in Waterloo Region for a 'reference family of four' was $168.45 per week."  Their analysis reveals that a family of four receiving Ontario Works would have $189 left for all other monthly expenses after paying for rent and food (expenses such as clothing, transportation, childcare, telephone, household and personal care items, school supplies, etc.) 

By comparison, a single person receiving Ontario Works would be left with a net expense of $227 if he/she paid their rent and purchased a nutritious food basket each week (price adjusted for a household of one).  A family of four with a minimum wage earner also makes less than the estimated amount needed to pay for monthly expenses.  Thus, it is not surprising that so many people are accessing food assistance. 

While the Food Assistance Network is thankful for the amazing generosity of its community donors, it looks forward to a day when hunger is no longer acceptable.

Needs within Waterloo Region in March 2010

  • 7,810 food hampers were distributed                                                                                                                                                               
  • 6,148 households received food hampers, representing 14,575 people                                                                                                       
  • 42,497 meals were served                                               

Who Receives Food?                                                                             

Under 18 Years of Age 39.7%                                                                                                                                                                                   Over 18 Years of Age 60.3%

Household Composition

Single parent families 20.5%                                                                                                                                                         Two parent families 22.6%                                                                                                                                                    Couples without children 8.4%                                                                                                                                                             Single people 30.5%                                                                                                                                                                         Multigenerational 1.0%Unknown 12.5%                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 Primary Source of Income

Full-time Employment 6.2%                                                                                                                                                                                      Part-time Employment 6.6%                                                                                                                                                                          Employment Insurance 4.3%                                                                                                                                                                                Ontario Works 35.7%                                                                                                                                                                                           Ontario Disability Support 19.7%                                                                                                                                                                        Disability Plan 0.3%                                                                                                                                                                                              Pension 4.0%                                                                                                                                                                                                       Student loan/Scholarships 0.7%                                                                                                                                                                              Other 4.1%                                                                                                                                                                                                                No income 5.4%                                                                                                                                                                                               Unknown 13.0%

To see Hunger Count archives from 2006-2009, please click here.

1.         Reference: REGION OF WATERLOO PUBLIC HEALTH, Healthy Living, Planning and Promotion Division,

Report on the Nutritious Food Basket, Report PH-10-045 presented to the Community Services Committee of Regional Council on September 7, 2010.   http://www.region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/D2F6E619F0E9B06C852577920065E385/$file/PH-10-045.pdf?openelement  (Accessed October 6, 2010)