Helping neighbours in need is a community effort. Here at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, we couldn’t support our community the way we do without the incredible generosity of sponsors like OpenText, an information management company with headquarters in Waterloo region. Their platform helps businesses in various industries better organize, integrate, and protect their data.  

“In a nutshell, we help customers manage their largest data sets, secure that data, and apply analytics and AI to get more value from their data,” explains Julie Millard, the vice president of corporate citizenship at OpenText. 

Although they have offices and clients all over the world, they still feel a deep connection to Waterloo region, as the company was originally founded out of a University of Waterloo project in 1991. 

“We’re very proud of our local roots and we remain committed to giving back to the community where it all began and where many of us live and work,” Julie says. 

This holiday season, as part of their annual Holiday Food Bank Campaign where they support 67 food banks worldwide, OpenText is stepping up as our match sponsor for GivingTuesday on December 3! Normally, every dollar donated to The Food Bank provides two meals for someone in need. But on this special day, thanks to their generosity, each dollar will go twice as far—turning two meals into four. They’ve pledged to match donations up to $40,000, and we are deeply grateful for their commitment to reducing hunger in our community. 

“During our annual Holiday Food Bank Campaign, we wanted to do something extra special here at HQ in Waterloo to give back and partner with the broader Waterloo region community for deeper impact,” Julie shares. “GivingTuesday is an amazing opportunity to focus the energy of the giving season on a single day of impact. We’re excited to boost the giving power of the local community by matching gifts made on GivingTuesday.” 

Donations to The Food Bank on GivingTuesday will help pack our Mobile Pantry with a variety of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food, just in time for the holidays. Introduced in 2021, our Mobile Pantry travels to neighbourhoods across Waterloo region, making it easier and more convenient for individuals and families to access essential food support from the Community Food Assistance Network. Last year, the Mobile Pantry helped over 3,000 people and distributed more than 7,800 food hampers to those in need. 

“The impact is direct and immediate,” Julie says. “So many families and community members continue to struggle with basic needs in the face of inflation and instability. The Food Bank is a critical resource where donations are put to work quickly and efficiently to ensure that everyone has enough to eat.” 

Don’t miss this chance to provide twice as many meals for those accessing support through the Mobile Pantry. Donate to The Food Bank on GivingTuesday to have your generous gift matched by OpenText. Together, we can make GivingTuesday a day to remember and help those experiencing food insecurity in Waterloo region. 

To learn more about The Food Bank’s sponsorship opportunities and how your business can help ensure no one in our community goes hungry, visit our website or contact our development officers, Shannon Jaklitsch and Chris White.