To celebrate 40 years of feeding Waterloo region and the release of our 2024 Community Impact report, including hunger count data, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region invited partners from the Community Food Assistance Network, elected officials, long-time supporters, and members of the media to our facility on Monday, October 21. 

Attendees first heard from Regional Chair Karen Redman and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, who each shared greetings on behalf of the Region of Waterloo and the City of Kitchener. Dawn Gill, on behalf of Kitchener Centre Member of Parliament Mike Morrice, also spoke at the podium. 

Next, attendees heard from The Food Bank’s CEO, Kim Wilhelm. Reflecting on 40 years of service, Kim shared how the high unemployment and interest rates in the 1980s led to the founding of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region in January 1984. She also shared how The Food Bank received its Letters Patent from the Ontario government later that year, on October 15. Read Kim’s latest op-ed for more information about how The Food Bank began. 

Attendees then heard from David Brenneman, the chair of The Food Bank’s Board of Directors. David reminded us that food banks were originally meant to be a temporary solution to food insecurity, but with the sharp rise in need, The Food Bank has become more vital than ever and will remain essential to our community. David explained how by implementing our 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, The Food Bank is committed to building on its past successes while addressing emerging needs and driving meaningful change within the community. 

Attendees then heard from Martin Buhr, one of six community members to sign The Food Bank’s Letters Patent in October 1984. Martin shared his personal account of how The Food Bank was founded and expressed the importance of helping those in need. He also shared some statistics around food waste and how surplus food should instead be redirected to help people experiencing hunger. 

After Martin spoke, Kim came back to the podium to share insights from our 2024 Community Impact report. Kim announced that more than 73,600 people accessed food assistance this year—an increase of 25 per cent over the 58,600 individuals supported last year. This means that one in eight households in Waterloo region is now struggling to afford to put food on the table. Just a year ago, it was one in 10 households and two years ago, it was one in 14. Kim also shared that The Food Bank and Cambridge Food Bank, as co-leaders of the Community Food Assistance Network, distributed over 8.9 million pounds of food to Network partners this year—a 31 per cent increase over the previous year. To learn more about hunger in Waterloo region and our impact on addressing food insecurity and poverty, read our 2024 Community Impact report. 

In closing, Kim acknowledged that none of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of our community. She expressed gratitude for those who stand with us, not just today, but over the past four decades. Together, we can continue to provide healthy, nutritious food to those in need and build a Waterloo region where no one experiences hunger.