Three months ago we launched Full Bellies. Happy Hearts., a summer-long campaign to combat the drastic drop in donations and low inventory we experience leading up to and during the summer months.

The goal was ambitious – to raise 500,000 meals by August 31^st – but we were up to the challenge.

We asked you – Waterloo Region – to think about and help the more than 34,000 individuals – 40% of whom are children – in our community accessing food assistance. And you stepped up to the plate.

Not only did you help us reach our ½ million meal goal but thanks to your generous support we raised ONE MILLION meals!

Campaign Helps Increase Our Ability to do More

The overwhelming success of Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. ½ million meal challenge makes a big difference in the lives of those in our community struggling to put food on the table.

This campaign has helped us do more. We have expanded our reach and impact through the development of new programs and partnerships, acquired and distributed more food and created solutions to eliminate barriers for those accessing food assistance.

For example, we recently expanded the milk program to better support family nutrition, added new routes and improved service delivery to our 100+ community programs and agency partners.

We are so grateful for your tremendous support as well that of our matching donor, Allan Bush of CIBC Wood Gundy Waterloo who doubled the impact of donations made during the campaign.

And while we are celebrating the generosity of our community, we also recognize there is more work to be done. Last year, The Food Bank acquired and distributed food to provide 3,544,025 meals to the 100+ community programs and agency partners in Waterloo Region.

Visit thefoodbank.ca/get-involved to learn more about how you can make a difference in our community.