September is Hunger Action Month—a nationwide 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. Here are 10 ways you can make a difference and help create a future without hunger.

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. Using the letters we’ve drafted below, we encourage you to contact your municipal, provincial, and federal representatives and urge them to implement the policy recommendations from Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada. If you’re accessing food assistance, be sure to share your story. This helps reduce stigma and increase understanding of the challenges you face.

Federal letter

Provincial letter

Municipal letter

Support the Groceries and Essentials Benefit

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region 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. You can join our call for action by signing the petition and sending a letter to your member of parliament.

Support Feed Ontario’s policy asks

The Food Bank is joining Feed Ontario in calling on the provincial government to improve social assistance, invest in affordable housing, and build a stronger workforce. Sign the petition to amplify our message and add your voice to the campaign.

Share social posts

Sharing information about Hunger Action Month on social media can make a big difference. By raising awareness among your friends, family, and colleagues, you help spread the message and inspire others to act. All month long, look for our posts on food insecurity in Waterloo region by following us on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Donate funds

For those who can afford to give, please consider donating funds this month. Financial donations allow us to fill gaps in our inventory, buy food to meet diverse cultural and dietary needs, and keep our delivery trucks on the road. You can donate online or drop off a financial donation at 50 Alpine Court in Kitchener. Every dollar donated helps provide two meals for someone facing hunger.

Donate non-perishable food

If you have room in your grocery budget to buy some extra food, non-perishable food donations are always welcome and appreciated. These donations keep our shelves stocked and allow us to provide safe, healthy, and nutritious food to our partners in the Community Food Assistance Network, who directly support the 1 in 10 households in Waterloo region struggling to afford to put food on the table. You can drop off non-perishable food items at any grocery store or police, fire, or paramedic station in Kitchener-Waterloo or to our distribution centre. Right now, our most needed items are:

• Canned beans
• Canned meat
• Tomato sauce

Host a food and fund drive

Food and fund drives are a great way to spread the word about Hunger Action Month and support our work. Ask your friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers to contribute a monetary or non-perishable food donation for The Food Bank. Don’t forget to register your food and fund drive at thefoodbank.ca/ffd so we can provide you with boxes, bags, and posters paid for by our sponsors, as well as step-by-step instructions for setting up your own custom online donation page.

Volunteer in our distribution centre

If you have some spare time this month, we invite you to volunteer in our distribution centre. Volunteers in our distribution centre accept donations from community members, inspect, sort, and organize non-perishable food items, and pack food hampers for our Network partners. Visit our website to learn more about volunteering in our distribution centre.

Volunteer at a fundraising event

We’re always looking for volunteers to help at community fundraising events. Event volunteers raise awareness about our work, collect food and cash donations, and help the public understand the impact of their donations. Visit our website to learn more about being an event volunteer.

Attend a fundraising event

Did you know? There are always so many exciting events happening in our community that support The Food Bank! Visit our website to discover tons of fun events that raise food and funds for The Food Bank.

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. So, how will you make a difference this Hunger Action Month?