Celebrating The Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s volunteers

Waterloo Region, Ont., April 15, 2024 – It’s National Volunteer Week—a week to celebrate and thank volunteers for the time, energy, and passion they pour into serving Waterloo region. This year’s theme is Every Moment Matters.

At The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, more than 3,800 volunteers generously donate their time each year to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.

“We couldn’t do the important work we do without our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization and it’s because of them that the more than 58,600 people, or one in 10 households, in our community struggling to afford to put food on the table can access food support when they need it,” says Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

In 2022–2023, volunteers at The Food Bank contributed more than 28,000 hours packing food hampers, assembling orders, sorting fresh, frozen, and non-perishable products, and delivering and distributing food to the more than 120 community programs and agency partners a part of the Community Food Assistance Network. Volunteers also help at community fundraising events, talking to people about food insecurity, collecting food and cash donations, and explaining how those donations make a real difference.

Wilhelm adds, “As we continue to experience the highest need for food assistance in our almost 40-year history, we truly couldn’t be more grateful to our volunteers for their commitment and dedication to serving our community.”

The Food Bank offers several rewarding volunteer opportunities such as brand ambassadors, drivers and assistants, and general warehouse volunteers. Corporate and community groups looking to give back to their community can participate in food engagement activities including non-perishable food sorting.

To learn more or sign up to be a volunteer, visit thefoodbank.ca/volunteer.

About The Food Bank of Waterloo Region

Founded in 1984, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (The Food Bank) was the first organization of its kind in Ontario dedicated to providing emergency food. Thirty-nine years after incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the needs of the community, ensuring no one goes hungry. The Food Bank acquires and distributes more than 6.8 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 120+ agencies and community programs throughout Waterloo region. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

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Media contact

Michelle Rickard
Manager, Marketing and Communications
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
micheller@thefoodbank.ca