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 incorporation, The Food Bank continues to evolve to meet the community’s needs so that no one in Waterloo region experiences hunger.

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region functions as a distribution centre, so we don’t give out food directly from our location. Instead, we work with the Cambridge Food Bank to lead the Community Food Assistance Network. This means we acquire essential food items, fulfill orders, and distribute fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to partner organizations across Waterloo region.

The Network consists of 54 organizations and 132 food assistance programs. Working together, these organizations address hunger by providing:

Food hampers: Fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food Community meals: Nourishing meals for dine in or take out Nutritional outreach: Food packs or temporary cooking programs Shelter and residential meals: Prepared meals for shelter guests or supportive housing residents

All programs in the Network adhere to the Ethical Food Banking Code, ensuring that services are delivered with dignity, respect, and confidentiality. Additionally, we follow strict food safety guidelines for the proper storage and handling of food

The Network ensures that adults, children, and families in every city and township in Waterloo region have access to essential food support close to home.