Waterloo Region, Ont., November 27, 2024 – The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is calling on Regional Council to approve a permanent funding increase in the 2025 budget to address the growing and persistent issue of food insecurity across the region. With food hamper program visits at an all-time high, the organization is requesting an increase in funding from $744,000 to $2,086,724.12 to ensure that thousands of individuals and families continue to have access to emergency food support.

The demand for emergency food assistance in Waterloo region has reached the highest levels in The Food Bank’s 40-year history. According to The Food Bank’s 2024 Community Impact Report, one in eight households in the region now relies on food support, a sharp increase from one in 20 households just three years ago. In the past year alone, food hamper visits rose by 24 per cent, totaling 558,545 visits, and 8,465 households accessed services for the first time—a 12 per cent increase from the previous year.

The Community Food Assistance Network, which includes 54 organizations facilitating over 130 programs across the region, distributed a staggering 8.9 million pounds of food in 2023–2024, a 31 per cent increase over the previous year. In total, the Network distributed 186,830 hampers—a 23 per cent increase—and served more than 1.2 million meals, marking a 38 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

“The numbers speak for themselves: food insecurity is a widespread and growing issue in our community,” said Kim Wilhelm, CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “Every day, more individuals and families are turning to food assistance as they face mounting economic challenges. Without a sustainable funding solution, we risk being unable to meet the growing demand for support.”

Thanks to the ongoing support of the Waterloo region community, The Food Bank has been able to meet the growing demand for food assistance year after year. While donations have remained steady compared to last year, they have not kept pace with the surge in need. Despite the critical role The Food Bank plays in supporting thousands of households, current funding levels are insufficient to sustain this growing demand. In December 2023, Regional Council approved a one-time funding increase to $1.5 million. This funding is set to revert to just $744,000 in 2025.

The Food Bank is urging Regional councillors to vote in favor of a permanent funding increase in the 2025 budget. By increasing the budget to $2,086,724.12, the Region of Waterloo can ensure that the Community Food Assistance Network remains equipped to respond to the ongoing crisis of food insecurity. 

“Food is a fundamental human right, and no one in Waterloo Region should go hungry,” said Wilhelm. “The requested $1.3 million increase represents just 0.2 per cent of the overall tax levy, yet with this investment, Regional Council has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of thousands. We are asking for their support to ensure that we can continue providing this vital service to those who need it most.”

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency food assistance to individuals and families in need across Waterloo region. Through its Community Food Assistance Network, The Food Bank partners with over 50 local organizations to provide food hampers, meals, and other resources to those struggling with food insecurity. For more information, visit thefoodbank.ca.

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 its incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs, ensuring that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. As a distribution centre, The Food Bank distributes more than 8.9 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 54 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

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Media contact

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