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Emergency Food Hampers

HOF Emergency Food Assistance Blog
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Sometimes you can have four legs and be food insecure
Many people are surprised that we distribute dog and cat food.  Pets are important members of the family too, providing comfort and companionship to many.  From time to time we get requests for different types of pet food (bird seed, Gerbil food etc.) but mostly it is dogs and cats that people are looking for » more

Farewell Food Hampers
Although I certainly haven’t been here as long as others who are saying goodbye (Michelle!), I still must express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the inspiring volunteers, staff, and patrons who have shared their lives and knowledge with me.  You have all shaped me to be a more passionate and informed individual, with » more

The end is just the beginning
So my ten-week contract at the Emergency Food Hamper Program expires today and, technically, I am supposed to write a “farewell article”. But I don’t see this as a farewell, but rather, I see the end as just the beginning. First and foremost, I never liked goodbyes. I think the word has been misused by » more

Food Bank Users and “Abusers”: 2010 Summer Survey Challenges Patron Stereotypes
Lucas and I have spent much of the past two months at EFHP sitting down with patrons to complete our annual summer survey. We were able to conduct 120 interviews – about 13 more than last year – which will be compiled into a report in the coming months. When first assigned this task, I was worried » more

Back to school…
Well, the summer has come and gone here at food hampers.  We know the summer is over when our summer placements are complete and our annual volunteer appreciation dinner approaches. Thanks to our friends at Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church for hosting the party again this year.  Allison has been working hard at getting an excellent » more

Feeding Those in Need & Reducing Hunger in Our Community

Download Brochure

Emergency Food Hamper is a program of House of Friendship's community Services. For over 60 years, House of Friendship has been providing emergency food assistance to people in need. A record 33,154 food hampers were distributed in 2009.

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

EFH program

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 SourcesThe 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.