Hunger Action Month: Four ways to help reduce hunger in Waterloo region

Cambridge, Waterloo region food banks call on community to take action as food insecurity reaches record levels

With municipal elections approaching on October 26, residents are encouraged to complete a postcard sharing their experiences, concerns, or ideas related to food insecurity.

Waterloo region, Ont., September 1, 2026 – As reliance on food assistance programs continues to grow, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and Cambridge Food Bank are joining food banks across Canada to mark Hunger Action Month, a national campaign focused on raising awareness and inspiring action to address food insecurity.

Last year, local food hamper programs recorded nearly 622,000 visits, a 205 per cent increase since 2019 and the highest number ever reported.

“A 205 per cent increase in visits to food hamper programs over the past six years shows just how much the need for food assistance has grown,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “For many households, food bank support is no longer a short-term solution during a difficult period. People are returning more often and relying on support for longer as they struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living.”

“We see firsthand how difficult things have become for many people,” adds Dianne McLeod, CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank. “Families are making impossible choices between paying rent, buying groceries, and covering other essentials. No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, yet that’s the reality facing many of our neighbours.”

Both food banks are calling on residents, businesses, and governments to help address the growing need for food assistance.

Hunger Action Month is a reminder that food insecurity affects people in every part of our community, and that everyone can play a role in supporting their neighbours and addressing the root causes of hunger through learning, advocacy, volunteering, and donating.

Four ways to get involved during Hunger Action Month

1. Learn about food insecurity

In Waterloo region, one in nine households experiences food insecurity. The main drivers are incomes that have not kept pace with the cost of living and support systems that leave too many people unable to afford basic needs.

Alongside Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region and Cambridge Food Bank are calling on provincial and federal governments to invest in long-term solutions that reduce poverty and help people make ends meet.

Learn more at thefoodbank.ca/advocate or cambridgefoodbank.org.

2. Speak up

Government policies play a major role in addressing food insecurity. While many decisions are made at the provincial and federal levels, municipal leaders can raise awareness, champion local needs, and advocate for change.

With municipal elections approaching on October 26, residents are encouraged to visit thefoodbank.ca/advocate or cambridgefoodbank.org and complete a postcard sharing their experiences, concerns, or ideas related to food insecurity.

Residents can also pick up and complete postcards in person throughout September. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region will be at Conestoga Mall on September 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., while Cambridge Food Bank volunteers will be at the Cambridge Farmers’ Market on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The postcards will be shared with newly elected mayors across the region’s cities and townships to highlight local challenges and the need for action.

3. Donate

Food and financial donations help ensure people facing hunger have access to the support they need. Non-perishable food donations can be dropped off at grocery stores throughout the region. Financial donations can be made online at thefoodbank.ca/donate or cambridgefoodbank.org/donate-funds. Every dollar donated helps provide two meals for someone in need.

4. Volunteer

Donate your time and skills to support local programs, events, and operations. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit thefoodbank.ca/volunteer or cambridgefoodbank.org/become-a-volunteer.

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 9.6 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 61 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

About the Cambridge Food Bank

The Cambridge Food Bank is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and promoting community well-being in Cambridge and North Dumfries. Guided by our core pillars, healthy people, connected community, and environmental sustainability, we strive to build health and belonging through food, education, and advocacy. Learn more at cambridgefoodbank.org.

Media contacts

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

Dianne McLeod
CEO, Cambridge Food Bank
dmcleod@cambridgefoodbank.org