At the outset of the pandemic, uncertainty was everywhere. As a business owner, REALTOR® Dave Neill sat in his office and planned out how long the team could stay in business without any revenue, and how that might impact the operation of the business, and the life of his employees. He contemplated the financial impact that a worst-case scenario might have on the business and all the families it provides for.
Fortunately, as things would unfold, his business was able to remain stable throughout the pandemic and resulting economic shocks.
“However, we recognized that not everyone was in the same boat,” he says. “We began to look for opportunities to help those less fortunate and tried to find something that would have an immediate impact directly on those in our community that could use support. And then the call went out for volunteers at the Guelph Food Bank.”
In a world that produces enough food to feed everyone, nobody should be going hungry, and yet hunger is an unfortunate reality for many.
The Guelph Food Bank aims to alleviate these effects by connecting those in need with supplemental food supports that might otherwise be out of reach. Established by Spiritwind Christian Centre in 1989, the organization’s goal is to help those in our community who are in need of food support while encouraging them to become self-sufficient by supporting them with various life skills programs.
Neill interviewed Pauline Cripps, Administrator at the Guelph Food Bank.
The pair discussed the importance of the food bank, what it is that hunger represents, and how people can get involved and lend a hand.
DN: Can you tell us about the importance of the Guelph Food Bank and what it offers the community?
PC: For more than 30 years, the Guelph Food Bank, like many food banks across the province and country, has been fulfilling a need in the community that has otherwise gone ignored by those in a position to effect real change. As the local member of Feed Ontario, the Guelph Food Bank acknowledges that “Hunger in Ontario is not a consequence of a lack of food, but a symptom of poverty. To end hunger, we must come together to create policy solutions that alleviate poverty.”
The work that this organization is doing at a local level is in direct response to the needs of the community it serves, need that is easily seen on a daily basis, and this work is done without any regular government or United Way Funding. With more than 1.7 million pounds of food distributed last year alone, the organization’s work is crucial to our local community and wouldn’t be possible without the support of those in this city who support the various programs and services offered by the Guelph Food Bank and its partners.
DN: What is the Guelph Food Bank policy?
PC: Anyone faced with financial hardship may access emergency food support services offered by the Guelph Food Bank or its network of partnered satellite locations. For more information on service options at alternate locations, please contact the main office at 519-767-1380.
Clients accessing the Guelph Food Bank directly can come in Monday to Friday between 9 am and 11:45 am to be seen without an appointment.
New clients will need the following to register:
- ID for everyone in the household
- Proof of address within our servicing area
We will also ask for your primary income source and rent information to support our data-driven advocacy work both in Guelph and that done by Feed Ontario and Food Banks Canada.
NOTE: Clients must arrange their own transportation to and from 100 Crimea St. You may request a worker or trusted individual to pick up on your behalf with the proper identification; please contact our office to arrange ahead of time.
DN: Can you describe the various programs the Guelph Food Bank offers?
PC: We offer Direct to Client Food Supports, Community Food Hub Distribution, Agency Excess Distribution, Food Collection, Work Placements, Adopt-A-Family and Community Food Drives.
DN: What are the various ways people can contribute and get involved in their community?
PC: People can:
- Make a monetary donation (either online or in person)
- Donate food (either at one of the grocery store or fire hall drop-off locations or in person)
- Support one of our seasonal food drives
- Become a supporter through farmer / grower direct partnerships
- Plant a row, grow a row when maintaining your own garden
- Volunteer your time
- Host a team building / group volunteering event
- Learn more about the organization’s work, ask questions and spread the word
DN: If someone needs food bank assistance, how can they get in touch?
PC: Here are our contact details:
Address:
100 Crimea St., Unit C12
Guelph, Ontario N1H 2Y6
Phone: 519-767-1380
Fax: 519-824-1640
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday 9 am to 11:45 am for client servicing
Our office / donation receiving hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
DN: Are the programs anonymous?
PC: Client confidentiality is highly important to the Guelph Food Bank and while we do collect some personal information for data/advocacy purposes, this information is not made public for any reason.
For more information on client servicing supports, please contact the office directly at 519-767-1380 to get the best information suited to your needs.
DN: What are some of the items accepted for donation and what does the food bank need right now?
PC: This list is ever-changing, however our current needs as of April 2023 are:
- Canned Meats – Tuna/Salmon/Ham/Chicken
- Peanut Butter, Cheese Spread
- Canned Fruit, Canned Vegetables
- Canned Soups, Meal Helper
- Canned Tomatoes, Pasta Sauce
- Cereal, Dry Pasta, Rice
- Baby Formula, Baby Foods
- Girls & Boys Diapers Size 5 & 6
Special Diet Foods:
- Diabetic Products
- Low-Salt Products
- Gluten/Wheat-Free Products
- Ethnic Food Options
- Boost or Ensure
DN: How can people contact the food bank to get involved with volunteering?
PC: They can fill out this volunteer form and return it to the GFB:
LIVEHERE Real Estate’s mission: The reasons we volunteer
We were made aware of the need for volunteers at the Guelph Food Bank, and given the rising food inflation, it seemed like the best way for us to start helping those in need. Having enough to eat is vital for your health and the health of your family. The Guelph Food Bank are incredibly welcoming and appreciative of volunteers. It is a great environment to step into and immediately start having an impact.