Agency spotlight: Base Church

On the first and third Saturdays of each month, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., community members in need can pick up a food hamper at Base Church’s City location in Kitchener. Known as The Free Market, the program operates by appointment but also welcomes walk-ins. On average, it serves about 80 households each time it runs.

“There’s a need for Saturday programs,” explains Kierra Elhard, one of the volunteers who helps oversee the program. “For people who have jobs and need a place to get food because the cost of groceries is rising, this program works for them. It’s open to anyone based on their need, and it recognizes that many people accessing support are working.”

With support from The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, The Free Market offers a wide variety of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to participants.

“The Food Bank is amazing because we’re able to offer such a variety,” Kierra says. “We have fresh produce, meat, eggs, and milk. We also have a lot of non-perishable items like cans, sauces, and pasta, and frozen items too. There’s a lot of choice.”

Some of the food available at the program.

Among the most in-demand items are pantry staples like peanut butter and meal essentials like meat. 

“Meat is always the most popular,” Kierra explains. “It’s a staple for a lot of people’s meals—it’s what they plan around.” 

The program also reflects the diversity of the community it serves. 

“We see a lot of individuals for whom English is a second language, so some may be newcomers to Canada,” Kierra says. “We also have many families who bring their kids. It’s a wide range of people.” 

More than food

While visiting, participants can also access the onsite thrift store, where clothing and household items—donated by church members—are available free of charge. 

“We let people take what they need,” Kierra says. “It’s fully run through the donations of our community.” 

There’s also a free café, where volunteers prepare fresh coffee and homemade baked goods. 

“We have a café that’s completely free,” she says. “We brew coffee onsite, and there are baked goods people can enjoy while they’re shopping—or they can stay and spend some time in community afterwards.” 

Volunteers serving families and individuals.

Building connections and community

This focus on connection is intentional. 

“As a church, we’re doing this as a way to welcome people into community because we know that people need that,” Kierra shares. “We were really focused on creating a community experience—not just a distribution centre. We didn’t want it to feel like people were just going through a line and then exiting. We wanted them to feel like this is a space they can come and enjoy their time.” 

Over time, that sense of community has grown into meaningful relationships. 

“We have a community member who visits our program every time, and she often brings a pot of soup with her to share with our volunteers,” Kierra says. “That’s just such a beautiful way to sum up what it means to be in community—that she comes back and serves us.” 

Kierra adds that the program’s impact wouldn’t be possible without the support of The Food Bank. 

“We wouldn’t be able to do this without The Food Bank—the sheer volume and quality of the food we receive,” Kierra says. “Because of that support, we get to be a place where people find community, get the food they need, and build friendships.” 

Base Church is one of 61 organizations in the Community Food Assistance Network. If you’d like to help The Food Bank support Network partners like Base Church, visit our Get Involved section on our website to learn more about donating food, funds, or time.