‘It’s a challenge:’ Cambridge Food Bank searching for new home amidst growing demand
Posted May 8, 2025 11:42:21 AM.
Last Updated May 9, 2025 10:30:48 AM.
Demand continues to grow amidst uncertain economic times, the Cambridge Food Bank is having to balance a few different issues all at once.
Namely, meeting the needs of the local community and finding a new location to call home. It comes as the lease for the current site, located at 54 Ainslie St. S., is set to expire within the next four years.
While there is still time on the clock before then, the key issue has been the number of locations available that could fit all of its needs.
“There’s not a lot on the market here in Cambridge,” said CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank, Dianne McLeod. “We have some specific needs in terms of requiring to be on a bus route, for example. We’ve been looking for a few years now and haven’t been successful yet, but we’re going to continue to look, and I’m confident that we’ll find something.”
McLeod said it all comes down to managing the mix of needs and wants for the new location, with a few conveniences that could ease overall workflow and access for the site, but certain key factors that are non-negotiable in what they’re looking for.
“We’d really love to be central in the city, we may have to make a sacrifice for that, but we would definitely need a loading dock space and a parking space. We have a lot of needs and a couple of wants, but the needs are most important.”
She said it’s made for a tough task ahead of the Cambridge Food Bank, with the growing demands testing the capacity limits of the site, and adding more stress to an already stressful time for the region.
“Right now, we’re really focusing on making sure that we have enough food and support for the people who are coming in to see us. The need is significant in our community right now, so we’re focusing on that,” said McLeod. “While I’m doing that, we’re also keeping our eyes open for properties that might come for sale.”
While the hunt for a new home is continuing, the economic trials are continuing to roll on across the region and the country as a whole. McLeod mentioned that the trying times have taken a toll on every member of the local community, regardless of position, age, and residence.
Message from Cambridge Food Bank CEO Dianne McLeod to the local community across Waterloo Region.
“We’re seeing a shift in the type of people that are coming to the food bank in terms of demographics. We’re seeing more folks who are employed, who have full-time jobs, more folks who own their homes, and we’re seeing a significant rise this year in children and youth accessing the food bank as well.”
It’s all shown the growing need for the Cambridge Food Bank, along with other food banks throughout the province. Locally, though, the growing list of challenges are ones that need to be met, with McLeod saying failure just isn’t an option in the city.
“It’s a challenge, but one that we are certainly up for. We have a great staff team, and we have over 400 volunteers who make it possible to move a million pounds of food through that small facility every single day, making sure everyone walks out with the food they need to stay healthy.”
