Searching for Other Food Security Initiatives

COVID19 Important Information: The food bank is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but people can park and walk in to the counter where they give contact information and are served with a food hamper.

Food bank:

• provides ​nutritional food including meat, dairy, bread, fresh vegetables, and shelf-stable goods
• provides infant formula and baby food as supply permits
• donations of food items, monetary and canned goods accepted
• Hub for the Windsor-Essex County Food Bank Association; click here to see member list

Provides assistance for at-risk community members and transitions them from poverty to productivity

• Counselling includes one-on-one life coaching, faith based influence and professional counselling
• Women's Home includes a 6 month recovery program managed by Windsor Christian Fellowship

Nutrition Workshops and Community Gardening

The ACCESS Nutrition Workshops

• introduces participants to simple, healthy and economical recipes to develop new skills; to handle and store food safely; and to expand nutritional knowledge.
• provides the food, the recipe and the instruction
• Participants leave with a healthy meal for their families, healthy substitutions ideas, knowledge about health and safety in the kitchen; and new social networks

The ACCESS Community Garden

• helps reduce food insecurity and promotes better nutrition and health
• promotes exercise, neighbourhood beautification, social interaction, contact with nature, better nutrition and health, stress reduction, stronger communities, increased green space, cultural and youth opportunities.

Gardens and Kitchens

• an ideal place for families, agencies and schools to work alongside one another, taste new foods and learn food safety

• Uses Ontario's surplus of produce to reduce global hunger
• Makes dehydrated soup and fruit mixed for international distribution
• Makes good of produce, reducing waste

Growers can donate produce and receive a tax credit. (Click on the 'News and Events' tab of the website for details).

• Funds can be donated
• request to receive updates can be accommodated
• Presentations available for Community Agencies

Volunteer Opportunities

COVID-19 - Providing up-to-date service information for emergency food providers and grocery and meal delivery services.

Provides information on events, organizations and happenings related to food in Chatham-Kent. Information food skills opportunities, community gardens, student nutrition programs, CK Food Strategy and more can be found here. Additionally the CK Meal Calendar and Food Resource can be found on this website as well as an up to date listing on all food banks, soup kitchens, food voucher programs and other community food resources.

A group of CK citizens, business, government and not-for-profit representatives collaborating to find innovative solutions to poverty and building an inclusive community for all members. The poverty reduction initiatives of the round table are carried out by aligning with existing organizations and incorporating poverty reduction strategies into everyday life and work.

Promotes the vision to end poverty in the County of Lambton by * building intentional relationships across class and race lines * identifying barriers that keep people in poverty * implementing innovative solutions * creating effective partnerships to help families * changing the goals of the system to support families and economic change

Getting Ahead Training : Facilitated adult learning experience with groups of 5 to 15 participants a few hours a week over 15 week sessions. Members will analyze the impact that poverty at the individual and community level, complete self-assessments of their resources, and develop a support team with plans to stabilize their environment and move forward.

Bridges out of Poverty Training : One day workshop. Examines the impact of poverty on families, explores social norms in the economic class system, identifies ways to improve relationships, and develops tools for individuals to address specific needs.

Group of community volunteers and representatives working to reduce poverty by uniting the strengths and passions of people living in St Thomas and Elgin County

Circles - Weekly meetings offering a community of support to build supportive, intentional relationships between people in generational poverty and middle class volunteers * goal is to unite strengths in our community to create life changes for those living in poverty to permanent self-sufficiency and to advocate for changes in the system barriers that keep poverty in place

Getting Ahead - Program for people in poverty * goal is to examine the impact that poverty has on people, families and their communities * structured for adults to reflect on and examine their lives, investigate new information that resonates with them, plan for their future, create ideas for building a prosperous community, and choose a team to help them on their path

Collaborative community-based Housing First program * works to improve health and housing outcomes for people experiencing chronic and persistent homelessness

The Street Outreach and Informed Response Team provide the following services:

• advocacy to access services
• campsite tracking and engagement
• first point of contact for people sleeping on the streets
• diversion to natural supports
• support through the housing process
• harm reduction, Naloxone distribution and syringe recovery
  

Housing Selection Workers identify private-market landlords and property groups interested in making apartments available to people experiencing homelessness

Housing Stability Workers provide intensive case management support to people that have experienced persistent homelessness who are now housed

Services and Programs:

• London Cares Resting Place

Community collaborator and facilitator of food related projects that promote community gardening sustainability and self-sufficiency * advice and assistance regarding the issue of food security * arranges programs including community gardens, meal planning, and healthy eating advice

Services and Programs:

• Grow, Cook, Learn
• Westview Community Garden

Team of community volunteers and agency representatives working to reduce poverty * workshops educate community members and organizations on the factors that contribute to and sustain poverty, as well as the barriers that low-income individuals experience when trying to move beyond poverty

Circles - Program offering a community of support to build intentional, friendship-based relationships between people in generational poverty and middle class volunteers * goal is to gain a better understanding of both the valuable resources and systemic barriers that exist in our community so that people experiencing poverty can have the best possible chance to create life changes resulting in permanent self-sufficiency * Circle members also advocate for change with regard to the systemic barriers that sustain poverty in our community

Getting Ahead - Program for people experiencing poverty * involves work done in a safe learning environment, supported by experienced facilitator and co-facilitator * enables participants (investigators) to examine their own experience of poverty, as well as explore issues in the community that impact poverty (banking, housing, jobs, transportation), providing critical information the community can use to take action to end poverty * guides investigators through an assessment of their own resources, and how to build those resources as part of their move toward self-sufficiency * puts the concepts, tools, and relationships in the hands of people in poverty to make a difference in their own lives and in the life of their community

Distributes a monthly meal calendar listing meals and food banks available in the London area

View and print the current month's calendar by visiting the Information London website

Service providers interested in joining the monthly email distribution list to receive the calendar or can email:

CommunityMeals@mlhu.on.ca

Questions about a specific community meal or food bank should be directed to the organization providing the food

Multi-disciplinary health and social service organization with five branches providing housing support and alleviation of poverty through emergency shelter for men, family emergency shelter, addiction recovery treatment, community mental health programs, and household needs through our community voucher program

Community Mental Health Programs - Provides support to individuals, and their family members, who are experiencing symptoms of mental illness or addiction, and who may also be experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless

Men's Mission - 146-bed emergency and domiciliary shelter providing accommodation, rehabilitation, crisis counselling and food

Mission Store - Distributes clothing free of charge through the Emergency Voucher Program * sells gently used items in ten departments * sales tax not charged

Quintin Warner House - Men's live-in addiction treatment centre and after-care services

Rotholme Family Shelter - 24-hour emergency shelter for homeless parents and their children. Rotholme can accommodate up to 20 families or 64 unique individuals.

Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre sources, purchases and receives donations of foods from area producers, businesses and wholesalers and redistributes them to food bank and food-aid agencies in Huron County and Perth County (Stratford & St. Marys). Financial and product donations are welcome.

Provide incontinence products for food bank clients in Perth and Huron Counties (including Stratford and St Marys) as well as the HCFBDC Mobile Food Bank program to meet a basic need. Available monthly through mobile program and bi-weekly at the food banks.

2022/2023 Mobile Food Bank (MFB) dates - all are weather dependent:

BRUSSELS - Behind The Barn, delivery made between 9:30 am and 11:00 am. Dates - October 20, 2022, November 24, 2022, December 15, 2022, January 19, 2023, February 23, 2023, March 23, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 25, 2023, and June 22, 2023.

LUCKNOW - Walter Street Housing at 10:30 am, across from the Legion 11 am to 12 noon. Dates - October 18, 2022, November 22, 2022, December 13, 2022, January 17, 2023, February 21, 2023, March 21, 2023, April 18, 2023, May 23, 2023, and June 20, 2023.

HURON PARK - ONE STOP at the former school location, Columbia & Empress Streets, delivery made between 10:30 am and 12 noon. Dates - October 21, 2022, November 25, 2022, December 16, 2022, January 20, 2023, February 24, 2023, March 24, 2023, April 21, 2023, May 26, 2023, and June 23, 2023.

VANASTRA - at the Vanastra CR Church Parking Lot, delivery made between 10:30 am and 12 noon. Dates - October 19, 2022, November 23, 2022, December 14, 2022, January 18, 2023, February 22, 2023, March 22, 2023, April 19, 2023, May 24, 2023, and June 21, 2023.

BLYTH - at the United Church Parking Lot, delivery made between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. Dates - October 20, 2022, November 24, 2022, December 15, 2022, January 19, 2023, February 23, 2023, March 23, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 25, 2023, and June 22, 2023.

HCFBDC began a more focused approach to provide fresh wholesome foods (milk, eggs, meat, fresh fruit & vegetables) as a result of the Tracking, Assessing & Improving the Distribution of Food Aid in Rural Huron County study which was completed in 2018. In addition to the seasonal donations of fresh produce, HCFBDC sources fresh produce throughout the year. In addition to supporting our food-aid agency clients, HCFBDC operates a Mobile Food Bank service in 4 communities (Brussels, Huron Park, Lucknow and Vanastra) as these areas were also identified in the study as areas considered to be food deserts.

Services that are offered through Operation Sharing:

Chaplaincy: crisis counseling, home and hospital visits, advocacy, bible study, and spiritual support * secular and non-secular services offered

Christmas Place Store: Invitational opportunity to shop at minimal cost for families

Coats for Kids / Adults: Donations of new and good condition used coats, boots, hats, and mitts for children and adults accepted year round * special winter outfitting events coordinated by Operation Sharing Woodstock

The Cynthia Anne Centre for Addictions: Individual counselling and group classes

Extended Family Project: Comprised of an individual or family working to get out of poverty and a team of 2 to 3 volunteers * teams focus on interpersonal relationships and moving toward the realization of worthwhile goals * participants are encouraged and supported by volunteers * interactive training and ongoing support.

Food for Friends: Families and individuals in need of emergency food assistance receive a specially designed food card in pre-determined denominations as an alternative or supplement to the food bank * individuals can use these cards to do their grocery shopping at any of the participating grocery stores in Woodstock and Ingersoll

Jackson's Fund: Program to help cover vet bills for people on fixed or low incomes.

The Inn Oxford's Homeless Shelter: Provides shelter for homeless males and females 16 years and older

The Meeting Place Drop-In Centre: Goal of The Meeting Place is to create a safe environment of trust * individuals can drop by for a cup of coffee, snacks, games, a light lunch and talk with staff and build a relationship with members to determine assistance requirements and referrals to community resources * food cards and other services also available through The Meeting Place * Program available in Ingersoll & Woodstock locations

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

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

Resources and food distribution for member food banks in Ontario

• research, publications, advocacy
• Find a Food Bank -- locate a member food bank in your area
• does not provide direct emergency food support -- in Toronto, individuals requiring food support contact Daily Bread Food Bank or North York Harvest Food Bank for referral (see separate entries)

Assistance in developing programs which focus on financial literacy and coaching, helping people with low income to file taxes and access government benefits, improving access for low income people to safe and affordable financial services and helping them to build savings and assets

• consumer protection and education
• also policy development, program management, information exchange, capacity building, public education and research

Benefits wayfinder -- for current information on federal, provincial and territorial benefits, including those related to COVID-19 CLICK HERE

Domestic program -- financial support to child nutrition programs in First Nations communities across Canada

Overseas program -- long term community development in areas of food security, education and capacity building

Non-partisan organization dedicated to the elimination of poverty in Canada

• works to address the structural causes of and to promote lasting solutions to poverty, material deprivation, and social exclusion
• focuses primarily on addressing poverty from a international human rights perspective through human rights education
• policy development
• engagement with international human rights mechanisms

Government of Canada's agency responsible for funding health research in Canada

Consists of 13 virtual institutes that bring together all partners in the research process - the people who fund research, those who carry it out and those who use its results - to share ideas and focus on what Canadians need: good health and the means to prevent disease and fight it when it happens

Details and contact information for each institute is available through the website under Institutes;

• Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health
• Institute of Aging
• Institute of Cancer Research
• Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health
• Institute of Gender and Health
• Institute of Genetics
• Institute of Health Services and Policy Research
• Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health
• Institute of Infection and Immunity
• Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis
• Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction
• Institute of Nutrition, Metabolism and Diabetes
• Institute of Population and Public Health