House of Friendship

 

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Emergency Food Hampers

Reducing HUNGER in our Community

Download Brochure

Emergency Food Hamper is a program of House of Friendship's community Services Division. For over 60 years, House of Friendship has been providing emergency food assistance in our community. Over 27,000 food hampers were distributed this past year.

For more information see the description below, download the brochure above, call (519) 742-0662, or e-mail hampers@houseoffriendship.org

Why is there Hunger in Waterloo Region?

There are many reasons why some people in our affluent community need emergency food assistance. Some of these include:

  • Unemployment or underemployment

  • Inadequate fixed incomes

  • High costs of housing, transportation, and education

  • Unexpected expenses, family emergencies, and illness

  • Being a new Canadian with limited financial resources

  • Drug, alcohol or gambling addictions

  • Poor or abusive family relationships

  • Poor mental health

Did you know?:

  • One-third of the people we serve are children 12 years of age or under.

  • Approximately 40% of the people we serve are not on social assistance.

  • The other 60% receive some social assistance income in whole or in part.

 

Food Sources

  • The Food Bank of Waterloo Region Food Bank of Waterloo Region collects donated food that is distributed through member agencies like House of Friendship. House of Friendship is the largest member agency and distributes over half of the food collected by the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

  • We also receive direct food donations from churches, community groups, service clubs, schools, unions, businesses, farmers, and individuals.

  • Some staples (baby items, rice, margarine, potatoes) are purchased at wholesale prices using dollars donated to House of Friendship.

You Can Help By .....

  • Growing food for us

  • Donating food (for more information...)

  • Donating dollars (for more information...)

  • Donating small household items, clothing and baby products

  • Educating yourself and others about hunger, its causes, and effective solutions

  • Advocating for social justice

  • Volunteering your time:

    • Over half of the work done at the Emergency Food Hamper Program is donated by volunteers. Many volunteers have received assistance through this program.

    • Volunteers sort food and clothing, pack food hampers and initiate or assist with related projects.

    • Without volunteers, our program would not exist. Please contact us if you are interested in helping us help others.