From warehouse floor to community impact: How Sara Melo helps feed Waterloo region

At The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, our staff work tirelessly behind the scenes every day, securing and processing donations, organizing fundraising events and campaigns, sorting and storing food, and delivering orders to the 61 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network. They also support our volunteers and collaborate with Network partners, all with one clear goal: ensuring no one in our community goes hungry.

One of our dedicated team members is Sara Melo, who joined The Food Bank in 2023. Starting as a warehouse associate, Sara has since grown into the role of warehouse lead hand. Today, she helps keep our distribution centre running smoothly by ensuring incoming food is received, organized, and stored properly, while making sure outgoing orders are accurately prepared and ready for delivery to Network partners.

When she first joined the organization, Sara was surprised by the scale of The Food Bank’s operations and the impact it has had across Waterloo region.

“I was amazed by how much food comes in and out of the doors,” she shares.

That impact is significant. Between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, The Food Bank distributed a record-breaking 10.5 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to the Network, supporting nearly 67,000 adults and children experiencing food insecurity.

Sara Melo in The Food Bank’s distribution centre.

Making every square foot count

One of the biggest challenges Sara faces is working within the limited space available in the warehouse.

When The Food Bank moved to its current location at 50 Alpine Court in Kitchener in 2000, it distributed 2.8 million pounds of food to 40 food programs, helping 26,000 people in need. Now, 26 years later, that same building supports a network that has grown to more than 120 food assistance programs across Waterloo region and handles nearly four times the volume of food it did when the organization first moved in.

“We’re always finding ways to make the most of our space, but we certainly wish we had more of it,” says Sara.

Despite the space challenge, one of Sara’s favourite parts of the job is working alongside volunteers.

“We have amazing volunteers,” she says. “Without them, we couldn’t do what we do.”

While much of her work happens behind the scenes, Sara never loses sight of the people it ultimately serves.

“It’s rewarding knowing that all our efforts are helping to support people in our community.”

Like Sara, you can help ensure food assistance is available for those who need it. Visit our Get Involved page to learn more about supporting The Food Bank and our neighbours in need.