On the Table is an event organized by the Waterloo Region Community Foundation that encourages community connection and conversation. From June 7 to 9, people in Waterloo region gathered with friends, neighbours, co-workers, and people they didn’t know to share food and talk about how we can make our community better.

On Friday, June 7, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region took part and hosted a small group discussion on social infrastructure. As well, we invited all partners in the Community Food Assistance Network to contribute to the conversation and have their voice heard by completing our On the Table survey.

During our conversation, attendees first discussed who makes up our communities. They agreed that our community is changing. The demographic of people in Waterloo region is constantly evolving and becoming more diverse. Newcomers, international students, the various Mennonite communities, and migrant workers are groups that may be considered unique to Waterloo region.

Next, attendees discussed what challenges our communities face. They agreed that like other cities across the country, more and more people are struggling to afford to put food on the table and need food assistance. Attendees also discussed how civic engagement and volunteering are a privilege and how participation in these activities is not possible when people are focused on day-to-day survival.

Attendees then discussed what systems already exist to address these challenges. They agreed that libraries are a valuable resource for sharing information so democracy can exist but that ultimately, not enough social infrastructure exists.

After that, attendees discussed next steps that could be taken to address these challenges. They agreed that more programs and policies are needed and that elected officials need to be involved in those conversations.

Finally, attendees discussed how we would know if we made our communities better. They agreed that success would look like basic needs being met and thought of as human rights as well as less people needing emergency services.

We were honoured to host this discussion on social infrastructure. Thank you to the Waterloo Region Community Foundation for organizing the On the Table event and to all who were able to join us.