About the Guelph Food Bank
Guelph Food Bank, established by Spiritwind Christian Centre in 1989, is a proud founding member of Feed Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association of Food Banks) and affiliate member of Food Banks Canada. Guelph Food Bank is 100% community driven and receives no regular government or United Way funding.
Donation Impact
For every $1.00 donated to the Guelph Food Bank, we are able to provide the equivalent of 3 healthy meals to somebody in this community who needs it. With donations of $5.00 or more receiving an income tax receipt, your support can really add up!
Donations can be made by cash, cheque, or credit. Cheques can be made out to the Guelph Food Bank directly. To donate with a credit card online, visit the link here: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/7872
Food Distribution Programs
At the Guelph Food Bank, we believe that everyone should have access to a variety of food options, regardless of their financial situation. We have over 30 years of experience working with our clients to ensure they have access to everything they need to flourish, whether it be food, clothes, budget counselling, or other life supports.
At the crux of our operations is our three-tier food distribution system that enables us to receive and distribute both large and small scale donations of food and other goods to the right people in the right places at the right times. Each year more than 1.3 million lbs of food is distributed throughout these different programs.
1st Tier – Direct to Client Distribution
Since our inception in 1987, the driving force behind our organization has always been to provide food support to individuals in need within our own community. We continue to do this today through our Self-Help Shopping Model program. This program allows clients to come in and shop for themselves on a point-based system for what they need / want for themselves and their families.
Our Self-Help Shopping Model program provides clients with; non-perishable food items, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products, prepared meals, deli items, breads, pastries, baby food, baby formula, baby diapers and wipes, adult diapers and incontinence supplies, toilet paper, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and feminine hygiene products.
Who Gets Help?
GFB clients vary in age, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, all of whom are facing some
form of financial hardship including:
2nd Tier – Member Agency Distribution
Guelph Food Bank supports a number of local agencies, pantries, meal programs, shelters, recovery facilities, and other similar organizations with food programs by offering monthly food offers and other excess food support. These monthly offers are made available to help offset the cost of food procurement for agencies so that their respective resources are able to go further in the long run.
3rd Tier – Excess Food Distribution
Through both the Feed Ontario network and other network connections developed throughout South Western Ontario, we have the ability to share large scale donations so that we not only reduce food waste, we support food insecurity initiatives both within and outside of our direct community.
Other Support Programs
The Clothing Exchange
In order to support those in our community who struggle to afford food let alone clothing, GFB runs its own clothing program. The Clothing Exchange allows individuals to come in and do a straight exchange item for item, pay $1.00 per item, or $2.00 for a garbage bag full.
Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program
Christmas can be a challenging time of year for a lot of people, our Adopt-A-Family (AAF) Christmas Program has been supporting GFB clients for more than 30 years by providing them with much needed clothing, household items, kids toys, toiletries, and food that they might otherwise be unable to obtain. We are always looking for new sponsors! The more sponsors on board, the more families we can help.
Help with Skills Programming
GFB provides individual sessions and follow-up free to clients regarding; parenting and child care skills, housekeeping and basic life skills, budget / debt / and credit counselling, and nutrition and cooking skills.
Other Affiliated Community Outreaches include:
Noah’s Ark Childcare
Spiritwind Christian Centre
