Behind every fundraiser: How Emily Brown helps bring people together to support The Food Bank

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 66 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 Emily Brown, who joined The Food Bank in 2023 as our community events coordinator. The role was a natural fit, combining two of Emily’s passions: creating meaningful community impact and bringing people together around a shared purpose.

“Through events, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, I have the opportunity to connect people to a cause that truly matters,” Emily explains. “I was excited to join an organization where the work goes beyond planning programs and events and contributes to a larger mission of supporting individuals and families in our community.”

Emily Brown in The Food Bank’s distribution centre.

Turning ideas into impact

A significant part of Emily’s role involves supporting third-party fundraising events, organized by community members, businesses, schools, and community groups. From the earliest planning conversations to the final fundraising totals, she provides the guidance, resources, and support needed to help make each event as successful as possible.

For Emily, however, the work is about more than event logistics. At its heart, it’s about building relationships and empowering people to make a difference in our community.

“I have the opportunity to connect with individuals, businesses, and community groups who are passionate about supporting our mission,” Emily says. “By helping them bring their ideas to life and recognizing their contributions, we can create meaningful fundraising experiences while strengthening community engagement and support for The Food Bank.”

This fall, Emily is helping support several exciting community-led fundraising events, including Oktoberfest favourites such as Grillefest on October 9, the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade on October 12, and Honky Tonk at the Conc on October 14. Each event offers a unique opportunity for community members to come together and have fun while supporting The Food Bank and neighbours in need.

Calendar of third-party fundraising events.

Another exciting event on the horizon is Fight for a Cause, taking place on November 14.

“In partnership with Destiny Boxing, this unique event will see 11 dedicated participants step into the boxing ring to raise awareness and funds for organizations that are creating meaningful impact throughout our community, including The Food Bank,” Emily explains. “Participants have committed to fundraising and training in support of causes they are passionate about, all while helping shine a spotlight on the important work these organizations do every day.”

The logo for Fight for a Cause.

From planning to execution

In addition to supporting community-led events, Emily works closely with The Food Bank’s community events manager on signature fundraising events. From event design and planning to execution and post-event evaluation, she helps create experiences that raise awareness, inspire engagement, and strengthen support for The Food Bank’s mission.

“One of the aspects I enjoy most is event design,” Emily shares. “I love thinking about how an event will look, feel, and flow for attendees and finding ways to create experiences that are both meaningful and memorable. Whether it’s refining the guest experience, incorporating interactive elements, or ensuring our branding and messaging are reflected throughout the event, I enjoy helping bring the vision to life. There are many moving pieces behind the scenes, but seeing months of planning come together and watching people engage with and support The Food Bank’s mission makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Emily is especially proud to have helped launch Whisky & Wine in the Warehouse, The Food Bank’s newest signature fundraising event.

“As a brand-new signature event, I had the opportunity to be involved from the very beginning, contributing to everything from the initial brainstorming and event design discussions to planning, logistics, partnerships, and event execution,” she says. “Being part of the event’s journey from concept to reality has been incredibly rewarding. What makes me especially proud is seeing how much the event has grown from its first year to its second. Each year, we’ve taken the time to reflect on what worked well, identify opportunities for improvement, and find ways to make the experience even more engaging and successful. I love being able to deconstruct the event after it’s over, evaluate every detail, and think creatively about how we can elevate it for the future. Now, as we plan for its third year on April 24, 2027, it’s exciting to see how far the event has come and to continue building on that momentum.”

Whisky & Wine in the Warehouse.

For Emily, the most rewarding part of her role is witnessing the generosity and compassion that exists throughout our community.

“Whether it’s volunteers giving their time, donors contributing resources, or community members coming together to support a cause they care about, it’s inspiring to see how many people are willing to help one another,” she shares. “I’m proud to be part of an organization that brings people together to make a positive difference. Seeing those connections being made and knowing that our collective efforts are helping to support individuals and families in our community is what continues to inspire me every day.”

Interested in supporting The Food Bank through an upcoming event? Visit our Events page to learn more about what’s happening across Waterloo region and how you can get involved.