Food Bank of Waterloo Region hoping for a busy ‘Giving Tuesday’
Posted Dec 1, 2025 02:48:22 PM.
Last Updated Dec 1, 2025 02:48:27 PM.
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (FBWR) has its hopes high just ahead of one of the most important food drives of the year.
‘GivingTuesday’ is a one-day giving blitz where the FBWR stocks its shelves and fills the coffers for the busy holiday season.
This year, Waterloo tech giants Open Text have agreed to match all financial donations on Dec. 2, up to $40,000.
FBWR, CEO Kim Wilhelm, stopped by The Mike Farwell Show to talk about GivingTuesday and give an update on the food insecurity situation in Waterloo Region.
“Our network partners supported nearly 73,000 individuals right here in Waterloo Region who are facing food insecurity. And, within that number, there are about 26,000 children who are living in food-insecure households. That number really stuck with me.”
Wilhelm went on to say these were not just “one-off” visits.
“So, those 73,000 individuals accessed a food assistance program more than 622,000 times last year. To put that into perspective, that’s up about 205 per cent since 2019.”
She spoke about where GivingTuesday donations go.
“This year we are collecting donations to help programs like our Mobile Pantry bring fresh, frozen and non-perishable food directly to our neighbours. Since 2021, the Mobile Pantry has been visiting local programs every week, reaching dozens of households.”
The goal for GivingTuesday 2025 is to raise 300,000 meals to support the various programs throughout the region and beyond.
“One part of the work we do is to make sure that food reaches communities that need it most. That’s through our feed collaboration program, which is part of a larger Feed Ontario initiative. Food producers throughout southwestern Ontario donated 1.2 million pounds of food last year.”
Financial donations can be made online.
Food donations can be dropped off at any grocery store in the region, fire hall or paramedic station.
