Most meals raised (combination of funds raised/food sorted): TN Real Estate Group flew away with the victory, raising an impressive 14,164 meals during Great Food Sort Challenge.

Waterloo Region, Ont., January 31, 2025 – This year’s Great Food Sort Challenge, presented by BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch, soared to incredible heights, raising an extraordinary 168,555 meals for people struggling to afford to put food on the table in Waterloo region!

The ninth annual event took place January 23, 24, and 27 and brought together 30 teams of everyday superheroes for some friendly competition to sort the most food and raise the most meals in support of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Over the three days, 300 people joined forces to sort through 67,704 pounds of non-perishable food (166 watermelon bins) at The Food Bank, and together, the teams, representing 25 local businesses, raised $56,067. Since 2014, the event has raised more than 944,000 meals for people in need in Waterloo region.

2025 winners

• Most food sorted: Conestoga Meats channelled their superhuman strength and lightning-fast speed to sort the most food (3,152 pounds).
• Most stylish food sorters: Unifor Local 1106 suited up in style, donning colourful superhero capes and glasses.
• Most spirited food sorters: BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch displayed their enthusiasm with creative chants and cheers that echoed across the sorting room.
• Most funds raised: TN Real Estate Group unleashed their fundraising superpowers to raise the most funds ($6,180.50).
• Most meals raised (combination of funds raised/food sorted): TN Real Estate Group flew away with the victory, raising an impressive 14,164 meals.
• Rookie: Royal LePage Wolle Realty, as a first-time hero squad, soared into action to sort the most food (3,010 pounds).

“Some superheroes wear capes—ours sort food,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “We’re so grateful to everyone who took part in or supported this year’s event. Great Food Sort Challenge participants help us tackle the surge of community donations we receive over the holiday season, making a real difference.”

The food sorted during the event will now make its way to the 54 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network that provide direct food support to the more than 73,600 people or one in eight households in Waterloo region accessing food assistance. Each year, The Food Bank acquires and distributes more than 8.9 million pounds of non-perishable, fresh, and frozen food to the Network.

In addition to earning their titles, the 2025 winners took home some legendary prizes donated by local businesses.

For raising the most meals, TN Real Estate Group will enjoy a team lunch from Fo’ Cheezy Food Truck. For sorting the most food, Conestoga Meats receives an Uptown Waterloo Dollars gift card to put toward a team lunch. For raising the most funds, TN Real Estate Group gets to play on the courts at Rookie and Ace Multi-Sport. BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch, the most spirited team, wins an escape room activity at Escape Game Entertainment and Unifor Local 1106, the most stylish team, gets 20 oz. eye candy bottles from McCabe Promotional Advertising.

This year’s event was made possible by the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of sponsors BMO Financial Group Fischer-Hallman & Bleams Branch, Clean & Tidy, Cornerstone Association of REALTORS®, Challenger, CJ Brubacher, MNP, Steed and Evans, Travers Law, and SG Cunningham.

For more information about Great Food Sort Challenge, visit thefoodbank.ca/gfsc.

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-one 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.

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Media contact

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