Feeding a region: The power of partnership in addressing hunger

As published in The Record on July 16, 2025.

Did you know that not all food banks operate the same way? There are a few different models, each designed to best meet the needs of the communities they serve.

At The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, we operate as a distribution centre. This means we don’t provide food directly from our location. Instead, we collect, store, and distribute fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 54 incredible organizations across the region—together, they make up the Community Food Assistance Network.

These Network partners are located throughout Waterloo region and work hard to address hunger in different ways—through food hampers, community meals, outreach programs, and shelter-based supports. Together, they help more than 73,600 people every year—that’s one in eight households in our region—access the food they need, closer to home.

Because we partner with organizations in every city and township, we’re able to help ensure food assistance is distributed fairly and reaches those who need it, where they need it.

Here are just a few examples of the amazing work happening across the Network:

• All Saints’ Anglican Church (Waterloo): Every Wednesday afternoon, they run a hamper program for local residents. People can choose from a variety of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable foods to build a hamper that works for them. About 40 households visit each week.
• Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship (Cambridge): They serve hot meals five days a week—Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings, and Tuesday afternoons. Each month, they serve more than 2,000 meals.
• Adventure4Change (Waterloo): This community hub offers programming for kids, youth, and families—from resume help and English conversation circles to youth drop-ins and sewing classes. They also provide healthy snacks as part of their programs—about 175 snacks each month.
• Marillac Place (Kitchener): A transitional home for young women who are pregnant or parenting young children. Residents receive 24-hour support, access to counselling, and parenting and life skills training. The communal kitchen is stocked with food so residents can prepare their own meals—and on some evenings, staff join in to cook dinner together and share new recipes and skills.

Even though each organization runs their program a little differently, they all share one goal: to make sure people facing food insecurity can access the food they need.

Last year alone, Network partners distributed 186,000 food hampers—a 23 per cent increase from the year before. They also served 1.2 million community meals, which is 38 per cent more than the previous year.

There are many reasons people turn to food assistance: job loss, illness, rising rent or mortgage payments, low wages, or inadequate social supports. And of course, the rising cost of food continues to put added pressure on families.

In 2024, using the Ontario Nutritious Food Basket tool, the Region of Waterloo Public Health found that it now costs $1,165.65 per month to buy healthy food for a family of four in our region. That’s $40 more per month than it was just a year ago—nearly $500 more per year.

Thankfully, with the help of our generous community, our Network partners can continue offering food programs to those who need support.

If you’re wondering how you can help, there are a few ways to make a real impact.

Right now, as part of our Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. campaign, every dollar you donate is being matched by the Allan Bush Investment Team. Normally, $1 provides two meals. Today, $1 provides four. If you’re able to give, visit thefoodbank.ca/fullbellies. Every gift helps fill a plate and ease a worry.

You can also donate non-perishable food items. Drop-offs are welcome at any grocery store or at police, fire, and paramedic stations in Kitchener-Waterloo. These donations go directly to the Network partners supporting individuals and families in your neighbourhood.

And if you or someone you know needs food support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call our Centralized Food Assistance Outreach Line at 519-743-5576 extension 340, or chat with us online at thefoodbank.ca. You can also find a food program near you by visiting thefoodbank.ca.

Together, we can continue to support our neighbours and ensure food is available for anyone who needs it.

Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region