Get Involved
How to Run a
Food & Fund Drive
Helping neighbours in need is a community effort. Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, Food & Fund Drives provided 1,536,908 meals to people and families in need across Waterloo Region. When you host a Food & Fund Drive you are improving the community that you live and work in, and showing people they matter.
The foods and funds donated through community and corporate Food & Fund Drives allow us to fill gaps in our inventory, buy food to meet diverse cultural and dietary needs, keep our delivery vehicles on the road, and support the Community Food Assistance Network, a system of 120+ community programs and agency partners throughout Waterloo region.
These community programs and agency partners include the House of Friendship, Woolwich Community Services, Cambridge Food Bank, The Working Centre – St. John’s Kitchen, and more. Learn more about the Community Food Assistance Network.
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1Plan an awesome event
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2Set a Goal
You can raise food, funds or both!
$1 = 2 Meals
1.28 LBS = 1 Meal - 4
4Share What You’re Doing!
Post flyers, send emails, tell your friends and share on social!
Remember to tag us on social media @FoodBankWatReg #FeedWR.
Download Guides & Resources
- Food & Fund Drive FAQs (scroll down)
- Food & Fund Drive Toolkit
- Donation Tracking Sheet
- Spring Most Needed Items Poster
- Blank Food & Fund Drive Poster
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5Make your Donation!
Box the food, tally the funds and drop everything off at The Food Bank!
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6Thank and visit the Food & Fund Drive sponsors
Food & Fund Drive FAQS
Why do I need to register my food & fund drive?
Registration allows us to know what is happening in the community and when. It give us an indication of the amount of food that will be coming in from the community so we can shift resources as necessary. It lets us support your Food & Fund Drive with information, promotions and other resources to ensure your work translates directly into the greatest amount of assistance for our community. Finally it allows us to acknowledge the work of individuals and organizations like yours, making a difference in our community, and inspire others to do what they can to help.
What food items can be donated to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region?
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region accepts any non-perishable food items. The following is an up-to-date list of our Most Needed Items:
- Individually packaged snacks (granola bars, apple sauce, pudding cups)
- Dry beans
- Juice boxes
- Canned fruit
- Canned meat and fish
- Rice
Donations can be dropped off to the customer service door at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (50 Alpine Court, Kitchener), or at designated food bank bins located in many grocery stores across Waterloo region.
Can I make a cash/cheque/credit card donation?
Yes. Financial donations can be made online, mailed or dropped off at our on-site mailbox at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (50 Alpine Court, Kitchener). For credit card donations, please complete the online form or call 519.743.5576.
How are food/cash donations used?
$1 = 2 meals. Your gift of $20 will feed a family for four days.
The food and funds you donate to The Food Bank allow us to fill gaps in our inventory, buy food to meet diverse dietary and cultural needs, keep our delivery vehicles on the road and support the Community Food Assistance Network, a system of 120+ community programs and agency partners throughout Waterloo region providing access to food and other vital supports. These community programs and agency partners include the House of Friendship, Woolwich Community Services, Cambridge Food Bank, The Working Centre – St. John’s Kitchen, and more.
Where can I make a donation?
Financial donations can be made online, mailed or dropped off at our on-site mailbox at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (50 Alpine Court, Kitchener). For credit card donations, please complete the online form or call 519.743.5576.
Non-perishable food donations can donated at the customer service (yellow) door at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (50 Alpine Court, Kitchener) between 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. or drop them in the designated food bank collection bins located in many grocery stores throughout Waterloo region.
Will I get a charitable tax receipt for my donation?
Yes. Financial donations of any denomination are eligible for a tax receipt. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and phone number with any donation so a tax receipt can be issued to you.
Note: Raising funds online, using a custom donation page, allows for tax receipts to be issued quickly and easily. If you plan to raise funds and require tax receipts, please complete, and submit a donation tracking sheet.
Non-perishable food donations are not eligible for tax receipts unless they accompany a grocery store receipt. For more information please call The Food Bank at 519.743.5576.
Tax receipts are issued in accordance with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. For more information refer click here.
What does The Food Bank need more, food or funds?
Both food and funds are important to The Food Bank.
Due to strong partnerships with food industry partners, we are able to stretch the impact of financial donations. For every $1 donated, we can provide two meals. Financial donations also allow us the flexibility to fill gaps in inventory, keep our coolers and freezers operating and purchase fuel for our vehicles to ensure the continued delivery of essential services throughout the Community Food Assistance Network.
Food donations help fill gaps in our inventory – when donations are low – and provide variety in the type of food acquired, coordinated, and distributed to the 120+ community programs and agency partners we work with.
If you are planning to collect food as part of your Food & Fund Drive, visit: thefoodbank.ca/mostneeded for an up-to-date list of our Most Needed Items.
What type of goal should I set for my Food & Fund Drive
Whether you are raising food, funds, or both during your Food & Fund Drive, we encourage you to set a meal goal! This shows the direct impact of your efforts. Remember $1 = 2 meals and 1.28 pounds = 1 meal!
When is the best time to host a Food & Fund Drive?
There is a consistent need for emergency food assistance in Waterloo region. That means it is always a good time to host a Food & Fund Drive.
How can I spread the word about my Food & Fund Drive?
Send an email, do a funny video, share on social media or if you are able, post signage at your workplace. Make sure to let everyone know the details: who, what, where, when, and how to support your initiative. Tag us @FoodBankWatReg or email us the photos at info@foodbank.ca so we can share as well!
How do I donate once my Food & Fund Drive is completed?
If you can, we always appreciate donations being dropped off at The Food Bank distribution warehouse at 50 Alpine Court., Kitchener; however, we know that may not always be possible. If you require a pick-up, please email us in advance to arrange prior to the completion of your event.
My Food & Fund Drive is done, now what?
Congratulations! And thank you!
Once you have made your donation, we will calculate the total number of meals and share it with you! We encourage you to share this number with everyone who participated and celebrate your impact!
Now that your Food & Fund Drive is complete, it’s a great time to start planning for next time.
Thank You!
Together, We Feed Hungry Neighbours.
Our Food & Fund Drive team is here to support you.
Feel free to phone or email us with any questions.