The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (FBWR) is preparing for one of its most important fundraising and donation drives of the year as Giving Tuesday approaches, a global day dedicated to generosity and community support.
Held annually in early December, Giving Tuesday serves as a crucial moment for the food bank to stock its shelves and raise the funds needed to meet a surge in demand during the holiday season and into the new year.
This year, the campaign is getting a major boost from local tech company OpenText, which has committed to match every financial donation made on December 2, up to $40,000. The matching initiative is expected to significantly increase the impact of individual contributions and encourage more residents to take part in the one-day giving event.
Growing Need in the Community
Kim Wilhelm, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, recently shared troubling statistics about the growing level of food insecurity in the region. Speaking on The Mike Farwell Show, she revealed that the food bank’s network helped support nearly 73,000 individuals over the past year alone. Within that number, approximately 26,000 were children living in food-insecure households.
What makes the situation even more concerning is that these were not isolated visits. Wilhelm explained that the same individuals accessed food support more than 622,000 times in a single year, representing an increase of about 205 per cent since 2019. This sharp rise highlights a sustained and worsening crisis, as more families struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living, housing expenses, and food prices.
Where Donations Will Go
Funds and food collected through Giving Tuesday will directly support several of the food bank’s vital programs, including the Mobile Pantry initiative. This program delivers fresh, frozen and non-perishable food directly to neighbourhoods and community programs across Waterloo Region.
Since launching in 2021, the Mobile Pantry has travelled throughout the area on a weekly basis, helping dozens of households that may not have easy access to traditional food bank locations. Donations help ensure that nutritious food reaches the people who need it most, especially seniors, newcomers, low-income families, and individuals without reliable transportation.
In addition, Giving Tuesday contributions also support the food bank’s Feed Collaboration Program, which operates as part of a broader Feed Ontario effort. Through this initiative, food producers across southwestern Ontario donated 1.2 million pounds of food last year, strengthening the regional network that provides essential items to vulnerable communities.
2025 Goal: 300,000 Meals
For Giving Tuesday 2025, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region has set an ambitious goal: raising enough donations and food to provide 300,000 meals. Each contribution, whether financial or in the form of non-perishable goods, will help make a meaningful difference for thousands of people facing food insecurity this holiday season.
Wilhelm emphasized that supporting the food bank is not just about short-term relief, but about ensuring long-term stability for community members who are experiencing ongoing hardship.
As Giving Tuesday approaches, residents, local businesses, and community groups are being encouraged to take part, knowing their support will stretch even further thanks to OpenText’s matching commitment.
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