Hunger in Waterloo region

There is no typical food bank recipient and there are many reasons a person may access emergency food assistance, such as sudden job loss, low income, the rising cost of food, and/or lack of affordable housing. Food insecurity is a complex problem and the solutions are complicated.

Last year, 40,530 individuals were served by the Community Food Assistance Network.

Thanks to you, our caring community, the Community Food Assistance Network is able to provide access and connection to food and other essential services and resources that help people move forward with their lives.

Who visited the food bank in 2021–2022?

View our Hunger Count, an annual report that provides insight into food insecurity in Waterloo region.

• Families in all shapes and sizes depend on food assistance, as 60% of visitors were single people, 18% were two parent/guardians with children, and 16% of visitors were single-parent guardians.
• Community members of all ages require emergency food assistance, as indicated by recipient access numbers (January 1 to December 31, 2021):
  • 34% were under the age of 18
  • 21% were ages 19 to 30
  • 21% were ages 31 to 44
  • 18% were ages 45 to 64
  • 5% were older than 65+
• More than 32% of visitors came 8+ times.
• 63% of visitors live in private-rental homes or apartments; 8% are in social rental housing, and 5% are homeowners.
• Only 1% of food recipients were homeless, while 1% reside in emergency shelters.
• 15% of food recipients depended on income from Ontario Works; 15% from ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), and 11% were employed.