Behind every donation: How Sarah Worthen helps connect community generosity to families facing hunger

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: to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.

One of our dedicated team members is Sarah Worthen, who joined The Food Bank in 2022. As our annual fund manager, Sarah leads the organization’s annual giving program, overseeing direct mail campaigns, email appeals, digital advertising, monthly giving initiatives, and donor stewardship.

“As the annual fund manager, my role is to help build and strengthen relationships with the thousands of donors who make The Food Bank’s work possible,” Sarah explains. “My team works to share stories, report on the growing need in our community, and demonstrate how donations are making a difference in the lives of our neighbours accessing food assistance. Whether it’s planning campaigns, analyzing results, or developing strategies to engage supporters, my goal is to build trust, show gratitude, and help people connect their values with a cause they care deeply about.”

For Sarah, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing the impact that community support can have on local families.

“It’s rewarding to play a part in connecting our community’s generosity with the people who need it most,” she shares.

Sarah Worthen at her desk.

That generosity is making a difference on a scale never seen before. Between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, The Food Bank distributed a record-breaking 9.6 million pounds of food to the 61 organizations in the Network. Together, these organizations provided direct food assistance to nearly 73,000 people across Waterloo region, including more than 26,000 children.

Sarah is quick to point out that none of this would be possible without local support.

“The vast majority of the food we distribute and the funds needed to operate programs are made possible through the generosity of our community,” she says. “Individuals, families, businesses, schools, faith groups, and community organizations support us through donations of food, funds, and volunteer time. Without these donations, The Food Bank couldn’t do the work we do.”

Sarah Worthen in The Food Bank’s distribution centre.

Supporting children and families this summer

Right now, Sarah is busy leading The Food Bank’s annual Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. campaign.

During the school year, many children rely on breakfast, lunch, and snack programs that help stretch already limited household food budgets. When schools close for the summer, many of those supports pause or shift, leaving families to bridge a gap they often cannot afford to fill.

That’s why The Food Bank of Waterloo Region runs the Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. campaign each summer—to help ensure children and their families have access to the food they need, not only during the summer months, but throughout the year.

Sarah Worthen reviewing the Full Bellies. Happy Hearts. webpage.

“We want to make sure that every child in the region has a full belly this summer to help them play, grow and thrive,” Sarah explains.

During the campaign, every donation goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous matching gift from the Allan Bush Investment Team, donations are matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000—turning every donation into twice the impact and helping provide four meals instead of two.

Each year, Sarah is inspired by the way Waterloo region comes together to support the campaign.

“We set an ambitious goal each year, and every year the community rises to the challenge to help raise 1.5 million meals,” she says. “We couldn’t meet this ambitious goal without our generous donors, and I want to thank everyone for supporting this year’s campaign.”

To support Full Bellies. Happy Hearts., donate today at thefoodbank.ca/fullbellies.