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Mobile Pantry
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Mobile Pantry
Launched in 2021, our Mobile Pantry travels to neighbourhoods across Waterloo region, making it easier and more convenient for individuals and families to access essential food support from the Community Food Assistance Network.
Serving neighbourhoods across Waterloo region
The Mobile Pantry visits five Network partners across the region, including Stanley Park Community Centre in Kitchener and Lincoln Road Chapel in Waterloo. During each visit, it provides fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to support up to 100 households.
22,510
Visits last year
2,716
People supported
8,110
Food hampers distributed
Testimonial
I love driving the Mobile Pantry because I get to see the direct impact your donations make. Giving people a choice of fresh, dry, and frozen food makes all the difference. Our volunteers and partners provide a personalized experience for those in need, and it's a privilege to witness the relief the Mobile Pantry brings to our community.
Zachary H.
Driver, Mobile Pantry
Saving fresh. Feeding community. programs
Fresh Approaches Food Centre
In the Fresh Approaches Food Centre, our volunteers and staff work together to safely repack and freeze large fresh food donations from farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers. This helps reduce food waste, maximize donations, and ensure more nutritious food gets to those who need it most.
Perishable hamper line
Volunteers keep things moving on an efficient assembly line, packing hampers with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. These hampers go to our partners in the Community Food Assistance Network, ensuring that people accessing food programs receive nutritious options.
Food Recovery program
Through our Food Recovery program, we partner with farmers, restaurants, retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to rescue perfectly good food that might otherwise go to waste. By redirecting this food, we help ensure that people in Waterloo region who are struggling to afford food have access to fresh, nutritious options.
Frequently asked questions
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How does the Mobile Pantry improve food access in Waterloo region?
The Mobile Pantry is strategically deployed to neighbourhoods where an indoor space may not be available for programs to set up. With the Mobile Pantry, programs can distribute food hampers directly from the truck, while still allowing dignity in choice and increasing program accessibility.
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What locations does the Mobile Pantry visit?
The Mobile Pantry adds to the mix of food assistance programs across Waterloo region to support multiple neighbourhoods across Waterloo region. If you are looking for a food assistance program, visit thefoodbank.ca/find-food.
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What types of food can a household receive from the Mobile Pantry?
The Mobile Pantry programs provide comparable support to other hamper programs in the Community Food Assistance Network. Households can receive a balanced selection of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods, because the Mobile Pantry is equipped with fridges and freezers!
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How is the Mobile Pantry funded?
It is supported by donations, sponsorships and corporate giving.