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Executive Message

Message from Wendi Campbell

Dear Caring Neighbours,

I feel very lucky to have you as a valued friend and supporter! Thanks for sticking with us throughout the past year. It’s meant so much to know you’re there for us – and for your vulnerable neighbours.

With the COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years, we were really missing the many caring community volunteers that would come into help us sort and deliver food. In November and December of 2021, we were able to welcome back some volunteers that helped with our ‘food sorting blitz’.  This resulted in more than 300,000 pounds of food being added to our inventory to help neighbours in need.

There is still so much uncertainty around COVID-19 variants but one thing is certain: the need for fresh, healthy food has increased throughout our community. Things are going to be challenging for many of our neighbours for quite some time. Plus, we know that the cost of food is expected to increase by 5-6% this year, adding even more challenges to those struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table.

Between July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, you helped us acquire, coordinate, and distribute more than 6.8 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to the Community Food Assistance Network and provincial food banks, providing 5.3 million meals.

This issue of your Fresh Approaches newsletter shows more examples of how your giving has impacted hungry people in your community. I’m so grateful for your generosity – and look forward to working with you throughout 2022 to ensure that everyone has access to food when and where they need it.

Yours with deep thanks,

Wendi Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

You taught Deborah a valuable lesson:

It’s okay to ask for help!

Deborah* is incredibly grateful for your compassionate support – and for the food you help us provide each week to our neighbours through the Community Food Assistance Network. Your generosity has taught her that it’s okay to reach out and ask for help when you need it. But it took quite a long time for her to learn that valuable lesson.

Deborah grew up in a family that valued self-reliance and independence. She was taught that you should never depend on someone else. An only child, raised by an alcoholic mother and a strict father, Deborah says, “I had a house, but not a home.” She left that house at 18 and put herself through school. She had a highly successful career for many years. Then, after leaving an unhealthy relationship, she struggled, working 2-3 jobs to keep a roof over her head. And yet, Deborah still wouldn’t reach out to ask for help.

Finally, after being in a car accident, Deborah accepted help from a support worker and a physiotherapist. Then, when it became harder to pay all of her expenses, she listened as a friend told her about The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Deborah says, “It took me an hour or more to make that first phone call to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. I was so ashamed. I thought the person would yell at me for being so weak. Instead, they were so kind and welcoming.” The Food Bank helped match Deborah with a food program close to her home.

It took time, but eventually, Deborah began to see her food hampers as a vital connection between herself and the community.

She says, “Hunger can happen to anyone at any time. Your donation makes such a difference. You provide food and hope to more than 30,000 people in need in Waterloo Region! You helped me break the cycle of not asking for help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

 *Name has been changed

Tips for Budget-Friendly Grocery Shopping

With EAT365 you can help even more

We know that food inflation will further stretch the budgets of our residents and we want to ensure the community that The Food Bank and our network will be able to provide emergency food assistance and vital supports for those in need. Our team has also compiled some tips to help people and families stretch financial resources a little further needing additional assistance.  You might find some of these tips helpful!

Did you know you can give a monthly gift to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region will also help with your own budget? Join EAT365 and you’ll ensure people have enough to eat 365 days a year. It will also certainly put a warm feeling in your heart, knowing you’re giving an affordable amount each and every month to help hungry people in your community.

How to save money on groceries.

1. Look for sales
2. Stick to a grocery list
3. Use coupons
4. Shop at the right place
5. Get to know food prices
6. Buy in-season
7. Buy store brand
8. Stock up on basics
9. Meal plan
10. Store food properly

Happier Holidays!

Thank you for supporting more than 4,600 families this holiday season with Christmas dinner.

The Christmas Bureau is a group of organizations in Waterloo Region that work together to connect community members to support for food and gifts during the Christmas season.

Each year, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, House of Friendship, Salvation Army of Kitchener, Salvation Army of Cambridge, Wilmot Family Resource Centre, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and the Cambridge Food Bank, work collaboratively to coordinate the deliveries and pick-ups of Christmas hampers and gifts.

This year, The Food Bank hosted House of Friendship volunteers for the annual Christmas Hamper delivery day, which is sponsored by the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary club. Throughout the two-day event, volunteers picked up turkey’s, Halal chicken, and ham for distribution to families in need during the holiday.

Over the course of the weekend, about 2,300 hamper deliveries were made to homes and neighbours in our community. “Over 7,300 households were supported this year,” shared Pegg LeRoux, President, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. “Even while physically distancing we could see the happy faces and impact of a caring community supporting each other.”

All contributions are greatly appreciated as every donation of time, money, or food meaningfully makes a difference in lives of so many of our neighbours this holiday season.

Thank you again for helping feed your community and provide some much-needed holiday cheer!

Why I Give

What’s YOUR reason for giving?

We asked a few of our friends at Royal LePage Wolle Realty why they give to support The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Here’s what they had to say:

“As a child growing up with a single mom, The Food Bank was something that my family had to utilize to get by at times. So, giving back to The Food Bank as well as my community is very important to me.” – Samantha

“I’m always reminded that we’re all just a few circumstances away from living someone else’s story. While I haven’t ever lacked for food, I know some who have. No one should ever have to wonder where their next meal will be coming from.” – Krista

“My children have snacks in the cupboard and food in the fridge when they’re hungry. It’s so important for me to teach them that there are children in their own school and community who go to school without lunch or go to bed hungry.” – Simonne

We’d love to hear why you give to ensure our neighbours have enough fresh, healthy food to eat. Tell us your story! You can get in touch in one of the following ways:

Email: donor@thefoodbank.ca

Phone: 519.743.5576 x229