Real people making a real difference in the fight against hunger
With a national network consisting of food banks, agencies, and provincial associations, Food Banks Canada is proud to be part of a community that is driven by a passion to impact lives for the better. These are the stories that feed our desire to make a difference.
The theme of National Volunteer Week 2021 is The Value of One, The Power of Many. For the thousands of food banks across Canada, this sentiment rings especially true of the experience throughout the last year. Volunteers have always been the backbone of the food bank network. Before the pandemic, approximately 40 per cent of food…
Heather Richards, now manager at the Peter McKee Community Food Centre has worked with vulnerable populations for many years. When she heard that the Peter McKee Community Food Centre needed someone to run the Food Centre, she knew that she had to step in to help, but it was no cakewalk. Cries for help, tears…
Hunger affects 1 in 8 Canadian households, representing 4.4 million people; 34% of which are children. Food Banks Canada and its network of 638 affiliate food banks across the country shares the weight of that burden. “Together, we play a critical, albeit unfortunate role in Canadian society,” states Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Network Services Officer at…
Food bankers—they are leaders, navigators, and innovators, all working toward a common goal. So it should be no surprise these amazingly dedicated and talented individuals were all ready to spring into action the moment the pandemic started to disrupt everyday life across the country. In order to rally everybody from coast to coast to coast,…
Food bank use is an impossible choice. Most of the time, clients end up at a food bank because of unfortunate situations. It could be job loss, mental or physical health issues, or a vast variety of other reasons. For Mark Leblanc, Executive Director at the Shediac Food Bank, it started as an escape from…
We are always interested in hearing more about the individuals in food banking across Canada! This month, our spotlight is on Monique Trépanier from Moisson Mauricie / Centre-du-Québec in Trois-Rivières, QC. What is your role in the food banking network? I am the Executive Director of Moisson Mauricie/Centre-du-Québec, the food bank that serves 73 member organizations in…
Did you know that filing taxes can reduce poverty? When taxes are filed, there are numerous federal and provincial financial supports available in the form of GST/HST credits, federal and provincial child benefits and more that can significantly increase incomes. These are especially beneficial for individuals who are on provincial social assistance. Food Banks Canada…
Aisles of fresh produce and shelves stocked with a variety of goods. It’s not exactly what comes to mind when most people think about food banks. However, there are food banks that operate EXACTLY like this. One great example is the Unemployed Help Centre (UHC) in Windsor. “At the Unemployed Help Centre in Windsor, our…
2020 has been a year of stress, anxiety, and change. Lockdowns in place, job losses across the country—Food Banks knew they would have their jobs cut out for them as they anticipated an increase in clients. But the difficult challenges would not stop them from helping their neighbours. It just meant they had to find…
Now, more than ever, food banks need YOUR support. Here are some of the items food banks need the most: Whole grain foods like oatmeal, barley, high-fibre cereals or whole-grain pasta contain plenty of fibre and are an excellent source of minerals like magnesium and iron. Food banks with meal programs will use them in…
