In 2023, Ryan Hammar and Peter Beutler were watching a Kitchener Rangers game when an idea skated into their heads. With the high cost of living and the holidays approaching, both Ryan, a financial planner, and Peter, a former tool and die maker now working in sales for the industry, felt compelled to help those struggling to buy food for their families and gifts for their kids. That night, the two friends decided to organize a food and fund drive for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region—with a twist. They would compete to see who could raise the most money.

Calling themselves The Food Bank Fellas, they set a collective goal of 15,000 meals. With help from their personal and professional networks, the fellas surpassed their goal, raising an incredible 16,066 meals for people experiencing hunger in our community.

This year, they want to raise 30,000 meals—double what they raised last year.

“There’s a lot of people struggling right now, and it’s a choice between rent or food,” Ryan says. “Making sure people have food in their stomachs over the holidays so that presents can be an option is why we do this.”

Both Peter and Ryan know what it’s like to use a food hamper program. When they were kids, their families had to access food assistance to get by. They both remember receiving food hampers from an agency supported by The Food Bank.

“My parents broke up when I was seven and my brother was four,” Peter explains. “It was hard for my mom to make ends meet, being newly on her own. From my experience, there’s definitely a stigma attached to that situation for a child, but there shouldn’t be. Sometimes people are just short on money and need help getting through a tough time to get back on their feet.”

A similar situation led Ryan’s family to use a food hamper program. He says, “Same thing—single mom. There was more month than money at the time. We had to live with my grandparents, and we still needed help. The food hamper program helped us get over the hump.”

To reach their goal of 30,000 meals, Ryan and Peter are pulling out all the stops. They’re promoting their food and fund drive on social media and spreading the word to their friends, families, and professional networks. Peter is collecting food at his workplace, which his company will match in dollars. Ryan put up posters at his office and at nearby restaurants. They even had hats made to promote their food and fund drive!

“We both love to volunteer and give back to the community in any way we can,” Peter says. “There has never been a greater need for The Food Bank, especially with interest rates and inflation at an all-time high. This situation is affecting a significantly larger number of families and individuals.”

Ryan adds, “There should never be a stigma around needing food ever. If you have to use a food hamper program, you have to use a food hamper program. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s there for a reason.”

To donate to The Food Bank Fellas’ food and fund drive, visit their fundraising page.