Searching for Other Food Security Initiatives

The Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF) supports a wide range of non-profit human service programs that enhance the health, safety and well-being of Halton residents, by providing one-year and multi-year grants to programs and initiatives through two categories of funding and is part of Halton's overall approach to community safety and well-being planning

The two categories of funding include:

Category One:
* provides one-year funding to non-profit, charitable and unincorporated community organizations for short-term, innovative or small capital projects
* grants are awarded up to a maximum of $30,000

Category Two:
* provides up to three years of program funding to charitable organizations

Centralized intake to connect to local food delivery programs and resources

Meals on Wheels: makes hot or frozen meals available to individuals who have physical and financial limitations * offers menu of choices to suit everyone's dietary needs * hot or frozen meals delivered by volunteers

Food Advisor Supports: Helps to direct to the most appropriate food supports programs and services available in community based on clients needs and circumstances

Partnership with Halton schools working to improve the learning capacity, health and well being of children and youth via student nutrition programs / healthy food at school

Programs include:

• breakfast
• classroom baskets (Healthy Food Bin)
• salad bar lunches
• high school meal cards

Helps local churches and organizations connect with local subsidized housing communities for the purposes of poverty relief and community investment

Food Bank

• weekly food distribution
• food supplied by Food for Life
• fresh food and canned goods are distributed

More than a Meal

• prepared dinners delivered to homeless, elderly shut ins and in special circumstances

Community barbecues and dinners

• coordinates on site summer barbecues and community dinners at subsidized housing sites
• gives the participants opportunities to get to know each other, moving them from loneliness to engagement

Camp Dakota

• an outreach program that serves children and youth who live in subsidized, low income housing communities
• a summer day camp program run in Halton Region and 5 sites in Toronto
• activities include basketball, field hockey, wide games - capture the flag & prisoners base, track and field, soccer, frisbee, hip hop dance, crafts and story time
• all programs are provided at no cost to the camper or the family
• see website for more information

Healing Wheelz

• the bike doctor (Phil Carver) makes house calls and does on site bike clinics to do bike repairs so no kid is without a bike
• if it can't be repaired on site, he'll take it to the shop
• for those who want to learn how, he will provide training to become a bike doctor

Father's House Cafe

• held every Mon evening from 5 pm-9 pm
• a coffee house format, where the atmosphere is warm and inviting, refreshments are served, personal stories and experiences are shared, encouragement is given, prayer is available and the unconditional love of God dispensed

Life Happens

• program helps neighbours living in poverty, connect to community resources through advocacy and referral

Winter outerwear distribution

Christmas toy distribution

Annual fundraiser in May

Activities include:
* makes multi-year funding investments in the community support network of human service agencies that deliver critical, prevention-based programs and services, regularly evaluates funded programs and initiatives and analyzes investment results
* works collectively to design long-term strategies for program delivery, share research and provide assistance to improve governance and administration practices
* researches and investigates the root causes of challenging social issues in order to develop strategies that ensure lasting change
* partners with the community (school boards, governments, academia, unions, business leaders, neighbourhood residents and funders) to ensure coordinated, collaborative action and to develop local solutions

Halton Poverty Roundtable (HPRT) is a strategic program area which connects, educates and acts on issues related to poverty in Halton
* increases education and awareness of poverty and creates opportunity for community action

Activities include:

• bringing the root causes of poverty to the attention of elected officials and encouraging them to take action
• public awareness and education by means of a speaker series
• advocacy
• community development
• campaigning for a living wage and income supports

Distributes healthy food packages to over 100 schools supporting over 1,000 elementary school students in Halton

• food items are packed by volunteers and delivered to schools every Friday
• at the school, the food package is placed discreetly into the student's own backpack helping to shield the child from any stigma associated with hunger or receiving food assistance
• each child in the home receives their own food package, even those not school aged

Food4Kids provides backpacks of healthy food for kids with limited or no food during weekend periods and summer months

• food items are packed by volunteers and delivered to schools every Friday morning
• at the school, the food package is placed discreetly into the student's own backpack helping to shield the child from any stigma associated with hunger or receiving food assistance
• each child in the home receives their own food package
• programs are 100% funded by community donors and one-time grants

Provides children and families internationally and in vulnerable communities in Canada with food and the essential nutrients they need:
* school feeding programs that not only supply educational and health benefits, but contribute to gender equality, food security and poverty alleviation
* works with communities to grow sustainable food and promote public health education, improved seeds and better farming practices result in increased agricultural productivity which improves overall nutrition in the community

Seeks to break cycles of poverty by increasing children's access to quality education and developing the next generation of leaders through
* secondary and post-secondary scholarships
* life skills training
* community education initiatives

Works to strengthen the well-being of children and families through:
* promoting health and nutrition practices
* work on the prevention of major diseases and provide opportunities to augment maternal and child health

Across Canada, Speroway supports communities in need, including First Nations communities, refugees, and other vulnerable groups
* distributes food, warm clothing, and hygiene items to families in need through partners across the country, including food banks, community centres, women and children shelters, churches and schools

Collects surplus perishable food (fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat and prepared foods) from both retail and wholesale food suppliers and grocery stores

• redistributes fresh, nutritious food so that everyone has access to healthy food

Provides food support through:

• Neighbourhood Food Programs (see link to find food programs in your community)
• Mountainside Market in Burlington
  
  

Family Zone -- family building activities, life skills and educational workshops for Food bank families


Youth Dimensions -- volunteer opportunities for at risk youth to develop personal skills and community engagement


Individuals Conquering Addictions Now (ICAN) -- one on one recovery support for individuals facing addictions

Pre-employment support services -- assistance with job search, resume writing, developing references, volunteer placements

• access to computers and telephone

Choices Retreat -- fee for service program for Peel students to raise awareness on the issues of hunger, poverty, and homelessness through educational and interactive activities


Information and referral * summer camp for low income children * intergenerational mentoring between seniors and at risk families * workshops on the prevention and management of diet related illnesses * Holiday Hampers for needy families, with donated food, toys and clothing

Organizes food drives to support local food banks and poverty reduction initiatives
* partners with Second Harvest to secure fresh food and divert it from the waste stream, including but not limited to bread, pastry, prepared food and meat

Food and financial donations support:
* Grace United Church 'Food Pantry and Community Support'
* Forestview Church 'Next Door Social Space'
* North Burlington Baptist Church

Food donations can be dropped off at the following grocery stores:
* Metro, 2010 Appleby Line at Upper Middle Rd
* Freshco, 3505 Upper Middle Rd at Walkers Line
* Sobey's Extra, 1250 Brant St (Power Centre)

Financial donations:
* official tax receipts for income tax purposes will be issued
* make cheque payable to NBBC-Burlington Food Share and mail to NBBC 1377 Walkers Line Burlington ON L7M 0Z1

Provides food to a network of neighbourhood agencies throughout Mississauga

• no onsite food bank at this location

Find your local food bank through search function on the website, Need Food? www.themississaugafoodbank.org/need-food

Food Bank 2 Home -- at home delivery service for residents within Mississauga unable to visit their local food bank

• must meet eligibility criteria, for information visit www.themississaugafoodbank.org/applyhomedelivery

Income Tax Clinics -- open March 1 to May 13, 2023 for clients with a modest 2022 income and simple tax solutions

• call 905-270-5589 ext 829 or email tax@mississaugafoodbank.org for information

Dedicated to strengthening local resilience through projects and events. Helps community create a positive vision for the future and be ready to transition and adapt to the new normal. Projects are initiated by community volunteers and grow according to local needs and resources.

Guided by principles of local resilience: economic vitality, edibles (food and water), engaged community, energy, and environmental stewardship.

Projects include:

• Resilience Festival
• TreeMobile
• Guelph Community Orchard
• Guelph Urban Farm Tour
• The Grow Garden
• Resilience Awards
• Inner Transition
• Guelph Walking Friends
• Intentional Communities Guelph

Rescues fresh, surplus food and delivers daily, free of charge to community agencies and emergency food programs

• training and education
• volunteer opportunities

Harvest Kitchens -- surplus food prepared by staff and/or volunteers that are packaged and distributed to non-profite organizations who serve meals but do not have the kitchen space or staff to cook meals themselves

FoodRescue.ca -- online platform connecting businesses with surplus food products to non-for-profit agencies with food programs

• advance registration required for both food donors and receivers, form on website
• available throughout Canada
• also information on how to reduce food waste at home

Feeding Our Future -- summer program providing meals in city camps

Does not distribute food to individuals directly, no food distribution at this location

The Poverty Task force works collaboratively, informed by diverse voices of experience, to take local action and advocate for system and policy change to address the root causes of poverty.

Membership and committees include representatives from the social service sector, all levels of government, the research community, business community, community organizations and community members, including peer leaders with lived experience of poverty.

Priority areas include: livable incomes, decent work, housing, homelessness, food insecurity and health inequities.

At times, involvement opportunities are available through committees and projects.

Framework for professionals in all community sectors that addresses the causes of poverty and increases understanding of the hidden rules and culture of poverty * helps to build relationships to create a sustainable community

Bridges Out of Poverty, created by Dr Ruby Payne, is based on the following components:
* economic lens
* definition of poverty
* inequalities in access to resources
* relationships of mutual respect
* people in all classes and sectors need to participate in decision-making
* mental models of poverty
* stabilizing the environment, removal of barriers and building resources
* addressing all causes of poverty
* building long-term support
* building sustainable communities where everyone can live well

Offers free programs, services, resources to individuals and families in need. Programs and services include:

• Food market
• Clothing Market
• HOPE Stylin' (clothing bureau and salon)
• Food Skills Classes
• Breakfast Program
• Ease into Work
• Guelph Community Backpack Project (coordinated by HOPE House in partnership with Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition and Salvation Army); collection, packing, and distribution of backpacks and school supplies for children and youth throughout Guelph
• Harvest of HOPE
• Affordable Holiday Gift Market
• HOPE in Motion
• HOPE Smiles (dental care program for community members who volunteer or participate in Circles)

Community food project of the Guelph Community Health Centre with a goal to eliminate food insecurity by offering programs and services that tackle the root causes of poverty. Support is provided by community members, volunteers and many partner organizations.

• Good Food Distribution - partners with local schools and emergency food providers to increase the amount of fresh food available
• Garden Fresh Box- monthly affordable food box program
• Community Food Markets - sliding-scale prices and community space
• Fresh Food Prescriptions- piloting food as medicine
• Good Food Work Experience - programming and employment opportunities for youth
• Guelph Youth Farm- urban farming project in partnership with St Joseph's Health Centre and Everdale
• Souper Heroes - volunteer fundraising and community building around food
• Upcycle Kitchen - diverting food waste into healthy value added products and meals

Offers health services and a variety of allied health services available to clinically rostered clients, including counselling and social work, access to registered dietitians and addictions counselling.

Also offers EarlyON Child and Family Centre Programs, various programs open to community members in their priority population, such as: Parent Outreach Programs, Specialized Outreach Services, and a wide variety of healthy living programs:

WE Breastfeed: peer-led support for breastfeeding parents

Chronic Pain Programs: peer-led support groups, and self-management programs for people living with chronic pain

Mindfulness: meet each day more mindfully with greater intention and awareness

Post Partum Mood Disorder Support Group: personalized support and a weekly mother's support group with child care

ID Clinic: assistance with applications for new and replacement Canadian birth certificates, or Ontario Health Card replacement

Groceries from the SEED: nonprofit, online sliding scale grocery store, open to all, visit The Seed Guelph

Garden Fresh Box: nonprofit, fresh produce buying service to help provide affordable access to fresh fruit and vegetables. See Garden Fresh Box

Fitness Programs: various yoga, Zumba and wellness classes offered online and throughout the community

English Conversation Circle: informal groups offering newcomers a chance to practice and gain confidence in speaking English

For a complete listing of programs with locations, dates and times, including EarlyON Child and Family Centre (Stone Road Mall), visit website: Guelph Community Health Centre

Note: Also houses the Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy and The Seed Food Access Program

Food Assistance and Information and Referral Centre

• referrals to local food banks and meal programs for persons in need of food
• information, referral, advocacy and crisis support related to income supports and government entitlements (such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program)
• community services related to housing, legal, mental health, abuse and other issues
• volunteer opportunities

Food Distribution and Coordination

• collects, stores, distributes food to over 130 social service agencies
• supports food programs that provide meals or groceries to people in need across the Greater Toronto Area

Fundraising and Development, Public Education

• public education, research and initiatives on hunger, poverty and reducing need for food bank use
• conducts public food drives
• online food donation via credit card available

New Toronto Street Food Bank -- see separate entry

The Food & Friends Program brings healthy food to hungry minds. Breakfast, morning meal, snack and lunch programs offered throughout Dufferin, Wellington County and Guelph agencies and schools. The goal is to provide an atmosphere of social inclusion among students who may otherwise feel marginalized, aid in decreased disruptive behaviours in the classroom, learn healthy eating habits and built strong social skills.

Each host school/agency offers different kinds of food programs - call for information.

Support the health of individuals, families and communities

Child and Youth Programs - Provide youth with a wide range of social recreational activities that will enable them to be peer leaders, and to enhance their personal and community capacity

EarlyON Child and Family Centre - Free drop-in programs offer children up to the age of six, their parents, and their caregivers an interactive environment where they can participate a wide range of activities

Food Access Programs - Addresses food access and food security issues in the Stonegate community * support the development, implementation and operation of a local community garden, a Good Food Box program, a Good Food Market, a seasonal Farmers' Market, and school based Snack Program * capacity building workshops around food issues also organized throughout the year for community members to attend.

Pre and Post Natal Programs - Pre natal program offer child birth classes and a weekly pre natal nutrition program * post-natal programs offer parenting information, breastfeeding support and encourage healthy eating for women in the first year of their baby's life

COVID19 -- Still delivering paid Good Food Box across the City, boxes can be ordered for a fee at goodfoodbox.foodshare.net

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Community Food Programs -- food justice education for children, youth, adults, seniors and educators

Baby and Toddler Nutrition -- training and information on making healthy homemade baby food from fresh affordable food

Community Food Growing Programs -- information, training and resources, growing food and communities, composting, beekeeping, school gardens

Commercial Kitchen -- fully equipped kitchen for community-based groups and small businesses that do not have access to a commercial kitchen, fee

Bulk Produce -- offering fresh produce and pre-packaged snacks to schools, community groups and businesses, fee

• to set up an account, place an order or learn more email orders@foodshare.net

Good Food Box -- fee

• individuals can order fresh produce boxes and other food items online at
  goodfoodbox.foodshare.net
• agencies looking to order Good Food Boxes in bulk and have them delivered to a central location, email orders@foodshare.net

Good Food Markets -- weekly community run produce market selling affordable and culturally appropriate fruits and vegetables