Four local food banks are set to receive some much-needed support in the form of a multi-million-dollar donation, all in the effort of addressing the ongoing issue of food insecurity across Waterloo Region.
The Balsillie Family Foundation has donated $4.5 million to four local food banks, including the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, the Cambridge Food Bank, the Guelph Food Bank, and the Centre Wellington Food Bank.
It all comes as those food banks say use has tripled across Waterloo-Wellington since 2019, with more than 82,000 people accessing food support services and, specifically, 29,000 children requiring food assistance.
“Food insecurity is affecting growing numbers of people across Waterloo-Wellington and across Ontario,” said Jim Balsillie with the Nalsilliw Family Foundation.
“This investment recognizes both the urgency of the need and the importance of building strong community infrastructure that can help people access healthy food with dignity.”
He continued to state that “The leadership and innovation demonstrated by these organizations gives me tremendous confidence in what is possible.”
Across the province, more than 1 million people accessed a food bank between 2024-25, which marked the highest level ever recorded, according to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, which added that those food banks also recorded 7 million total visits in that same span, an increase of 165 per cent compared with 2019-20.
“Food may bring someone through our doors, but it’s only the beginning of what’s possible,” said Dianne McLeod, CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank.
“This investment will help us create a community hub where people can access healthy food with dignity, build connections, learn and find new opportunities.”
In addition to immediate needs and demands for long-term capacity building, the $4.5 million is set to help launch a range of initiatives across those four food banks, including:
- Cambridge Food Bank – Support the completion of its new facility and the development of a welcoming community hub focused on food, connection, and well-being
- Centre Wellington Food Bank – Launch and expand the Well Fed Wellington initiative, creating new pathways to nutritious food throughout Wellington County
- Guelph Food Bank – Expand initiatives that increase access to healthy food, rescue and process local food, and create opportunities for learning and community participation
- Food Bank of Waterloo Region – Invest in food procurement, storage, processing, and distribution infrastructure to strengthen the regional food assistance network
“What makes this investment especially meaningful is that it allows us to think beyond immediate need and plan for the future,” said Kim Wilhelm, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
“The funding will help strengthen the infrastructure that supports food assistance throughout Waterloo Region, giving us the stability to make strategic investments that improve access to nutritious food and support our community for years to come.”
Comments