The Food Bank of Waterloo Region receives leadership award

Left, Kim Wilhelm, Nicole Marinelli, Leah Kschesinski, Rebecca Jeschke, Jaime Bickerton, and Rebecca Hempey accepted the Mountain Mover Award on behalf of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Waterloo Region, Ont., June 10, 2025 – The Food Bank of Waterloo Region is being recognized for removing barriers to food access in the community.

At the Feed Ontario Leadership Awards earlier this week, The Food Bank received the Mountain Mover Award for its innovative after-hours food locker program.

Launched in November 2024, the initiative offers greater flexibility for individuals in need of emergency food assistance. By installing refrigerated lockers at a City of Kitchener community centre, households unable to access food hamper programs during regular operating hours can now receive fresh, nutritious food on their own schedule.

“We’re incredibly honoured to receive the Mountain Mover Award from Feed Ontario,” said Kim Wilhelm, CEO at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our team, community partners, and supporters who continue to help us remove barriers to food access. The after-hours food locker program is one example of how we’re working to meet people where they are, with dignity and flexibility. We’re proud to be part of a network that’s committed to innovation, equity, and ensuring everyone has access to the food they need—when they need it.”

The Feed Ontario Leadership Awards celebrate food banks and individuals who demonstrate strong leadership and community spirit through collaboration, connection, and commitment. Recipients are also recognized for fostering a culture of equity within their organizations and across the broader food bank network. Awards are presented each year at Feed Ontario’s annual conference, which was held this year in Durham Region.

“We are thrilled to honour and acknowledge the exceptional work being done at food banks across our network,” said Carolyn Stewart, chief executive officer at Feed Ontario. “Throughout the province, food banks have risen to the challenge of meeting an unprecedented growth in demand, providing their communities with the healthy food they need. None of this would be possible without the dedication and hard work of food bank staff members and volunteers, along with the donors that support them. Congratulations and thank you to this year’s award winners for your commitment and excellence in service.”

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. Forty-one years after its incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs, ensuring that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger. As a distribution centre, The Food Bank distributes more than 8.9 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to 54 organizations within the Community Food Assistance Network. Learn more at thefoodbank.ca.

About Feed Ontario

From securing fresh and healthy food sources to driving change through policy research and innovative programming, Feed Ontario unites food banks, industry partners, and local communities in its work to end poverty and hunger. Join Feed Ontario and help build a healthier province. Every $1 raised provides the equivalent of two meals to an Ontarian facing hunger. Learn more at feedontario.ca.

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Media contact

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