Hunger Action Month: Ten ways to make a difference

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region encourages community to get involved

Waterloo Region, Ont., August 30, 2024 – September is Hunger Action Month, and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region has compiled 10 ways community members can make a difference and help create a future without hunger.

“Hunger Action Month is a month-long campaign that draws attention to hunger in our communities and encourages each one of us to take action to address food insecurity and support those in need,” explains Kim Wilhelm, CEO at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

In Waterloo region, one in 10 households is food insecure, with over 58,000 children and adults relying on food assistance programs to ensure they have enough to eat.

Wilhelm adds that with food insecurity rising rapidly across the region and in communities throughout Canada, there’s never been a more important time to take a stand against hunger.

“Remember, it’s not about how much you do, but that you do something. Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating food or money, or simply spreading the word, every effort contributes to making a difference,” she says.

Here’s how to get involved during Hunger Action Month

Email elected officials

To meaningfully address food insecurity, all levels of government must implement policies that reduce poverty and improve the incomes of food-insecure households. The Food Bank encourages everyone to use ready-to-send letters available at thefoodbank.ca/hungeractionmonth to contact their municipal, provincial, and federal representatives, urging them to implement the policy recommendations from Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada.

Support the Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The Food Bank is joining Food Banks Canada in calling on the federal government to introduce a Groceries and Essentials Benefit for low-income families struggling to afford necessities like food and shelter. Community members are invited to join the call for action by signing the petition and sending a letter to their member of parliament. Learn more at foodbankscanada.ca.

Support Feed Ontario’s policy asks

The Food Bank is joining Feed Ontario to urge provincial government to improve social assistance, invest in affordable housing, and build a stronger workforce. Supporters can amplify this message by signing the petition and adding their voices to the campaign. Learn more at feedontario.ca/stayafloat.

Share social posts

Sharing information about Hunger Action Month on social media can make a significant difference. By raising awareness among friends, family, and colleagues, individuals can help spread the message and inspire others to act. Throughout the month, The Food Bank will be sharing posts on food insecurity in Waterloo region, which can be followed on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Donate funds

For those able to contribute, The Food Bank encourages financial donations this month. Monetary contributions enable The Food Bank to fill gaps in inventory, buy food that meets diverse cultural and dietary needs, and keep delivery trucks on the road. Donations can be made online at thefoodbank.ca/donate or dropped off at 50 Alpine Court in Kitchener. Every dollar donated helps provide two meals for someone facing hunger.

Donate non-perishable food

If possible, consider donating non-perishable food items. These donations help keep shelves stocked and ensure safe, healthy, and nutritious food is available to partners in the Community Food Assistance Network, who support the 1 in 10 households in Waterloo region struggling to afford food. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at any grocery store or police, fire, or paramedic station in Kitchener-Waterloo, or at The Food Bank’s distribution centre.

The most needed items currently include:

• Canned beans
• Canned meat
• Tomato sauce

Host a food and fund drive

Food and fund drives are a fantastic way to spread the word about Hunger Action Month and support The Food Bank’s work. Community members are encouraged to ask friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to contribute monetary or non-perishable food donations. Don’t forget to register the food and fund drive at thefoodbank.ca/ffd to receive boxes, bags, and posters paid for by Food & Fund Drive sponsors, along with step-by-step instructions for setting up a custom online donation page.

Volunteer in the distribution centre

The Food Bank invites individuals and groups to volunteer in its distribution centre. Volunteers help by accepting community donations, inspecting, sorting, and organizing non-perishable food items, and packing food hampers for Network partners. More information is available at thefoodbank.ca/volunteer.

Volunteer at a fundraising event

The Food Bank is always looking for volunteers to assist at community fundraising events. Event volunteers play a crucial role in raising awareness about the organization’s work, collecting food and cash donations, and helping the public understand the impact of their contributions. Those interested can learn more on The Food Bank’s website.

Attend a fundraising event

There are many exciting events happening in Waterloo region that support The Food Bank. Visit thefoodbank.ca/events to discover fun events that raise food and funds for The Food Bank.

To learn more about Hunger Action Month, visit thefoodbank.ca/hungeractionmonth.

About The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

Founded in 1984, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (The Food Bank) was the first organization of its kind in Ontario dedicated to providing emergency food. Forty years after incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs so that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. As a distribution centre, The Food Bank acquires and distributes more 7.2 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 54 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

Follow/like us on social

#HungerActionMonth
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and Pinterest: @FoodBankWatReg
LinkedIn/YouTube: @FoodBankWaterlooRegion

Media contact

Michelle Rickard
Manager, Marketing and Communications
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
micheller@thefoodbank.ca