Food for Thought Blog

Don’t miss out: Register now for Food for All Youth Pop-Up meal kit giveaway on August 29

August 23rd, 2024In the Community, In the News

Waterloo Region, Ont., August 23, 2024 – The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, in partnership with Nutrition for Learning and Food4Kids Waterloo Region, is excited to announce the Food for All Youth Pop-Up event on August 29.

“We’re so excited for our very first Food for All Youth Pop-Up event! This amazing initiative is all about making sure young people and their families have access to nourishing foods and the support they need before school starts,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, adding, “We look forward to welcoming families and seeing the positive impact this event will have on our community!”

This free, one-day event, which includes pizza and dessert meal kit giveaways, activity sheets, and opportunities for families to connect with local food assistance organizations, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. at 725 Erinbrook Drive, Kitchener. It is open to all families in Waterloo region with children aged five to 18. Families must register for the event by visiting trellis.org/agency-youth-kits.

Erin Moraghan, CEO of Nutrition for Learning, shares “Food4Kids and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region are critical partners for Nutrition for Learning. When it comes to ensuring every young person has the nourishment they need to thrive, it truly does take a village. The Food for All Pop-Up is a simple way we’ve been able to link arms and share empowering resources to young people before school begins.”

Wilhelm explains that the Food for All Youth Pop-Up initiative supports children and youth in developing essential food literacy skills, helping them foster healthy eating habits well into adulthood.

“By actively engaging with our young participants and their families, we can establish a foundation for healthy eating habits and strengthen their knowledge of nutrition to promote growth and prosperity,” she says.

In the last year, The Food Bank has experienced a 45 per cent increase in people needing food support, marking the highest need for food assistance in the organization’s 40-year history. This indicates that there are more hungry children and families in our community than ever before.

“About 35 percent of the people helped by the Community Food Assistance Network and supported by The Food Bank of Waterloo Region are children. That’s about 20,000 children in the Waterloo region living in food-insecure households,” says Wilhelm, adding that both Nutrition for Learning and Food4Kids Waterloo Region are also witnessing firsthand the growing number of young people and families experiencing hunger.

The Food for All Youth Pop-Up is generously funded by grants from the Community Fund and Janice and Robert Deutschmann Family Fund, Lisa Schurter Memorial Fund, Steffensen Family Fund, TD Employees Endowment Fund, and the Zamin Family Fund, all held at the Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

For more information, visit trellis.org/agency-youth-kits.

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.

About Nutrition for Learning

Nutrition for Learning is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all students in Waterloo region have access to nutritious food throughout the school day. By providing food programs in schools, Nutrition for Learning helps to support the physical and mental well-being of students, enabling them to focus on their education without the distraction of hunger. The organization works closely with schools, community partners, and volunteers to offer breakfast, snack, and lunch programs that promote healthy eating habits and support academic success. Its mission is to ensure that no child starts the day on an empty stomach, recognizing the vital connection between nutrition and learning outcomes. Learn more at nutritionforlearning.ca.

About Food4Kids Waterloo Region

Food4Kids Waterloo Region is a charitable organization focused on addressing food insecurity among children and youth in Waterloo region. Its mission is to ensure that no child goes hungry by providing healthy, nutritious food to students who need it. Food4Kids operates several programs, including emergency food packs, weekend food programs, and holiday food support, all designed to help children and their families during times of need. By partnering with local schools, community organizations, and volunteers, Food4Kids works to bridge the gap for children who face food insecurity, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive academically and personally. Learn more at food4kidswr.ca.

Media contact

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