Food bank of Waterloo Region well on its way to raising 1.5 million meals

Typically, food bank donations slow in the summer months. People get busy, routines get disrupted and sometimes, folks forget to grab that extra item to drop in the bin.

While donations have slowed some, the Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s (FBWR) summer food drive is rolling along.

FBWR, CEO, Kim Wilhelm stopped by The Mike Farwell Show to give an update on Full Bellies. Happy Hearts.

“We are just entering week six of the campaign and I’m thrilled to share that we are 550,000 meals. So, it’s a good start to the campaign.”

The goal is to raise the equivalent of 1.5 million meals by August 31.

To help get to the lofty goal, The Allan Bush Investment Team has pledged to match all financial donations up to $50,000.

Wilhelm explained why this is her favourite initiative of the whole year.

“Because it’s a community effort. It’s really the definition of community. We have Allan matching the donations. We have people coming together, running food and fun drives, supporting us financially, picking up donations from the grocery store. It’s the definition of community. I just love it.”

Wilhelm points out that Full Bellies. Happy Hearts is particularly focused on kids.

“We’re doing things that really support children through this campaign, because over 35 per cent of those accessing food assistance in our community are under the age of 18.”

Wilhelm said you can tailor your food donations to things kids enjoy like apple sauce, fruit or pudding cups, juice boxes and since school’s out, peanut butter is a great choice.

Food donations can be dropped off a local grocery stores or at the Food Bank office at 50 Alpine Court, Kitchener.

Financial donations can be made online.