If you wish to contribute, you can donate directly to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region by clicking this link.
Ensuring No Community Member Goes Hungry
This year’s edition of CBC Kitchener-Waterloo’s annual campaign, Make The Season Kind, is taking a unique approach to raising food and funds for The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
The campaign was officially launched during a special broadcast on CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition on Friday, December 5.
The show featured narratives on the impact of food insecurity within the community, alongside heartwarming stories of generosity and support.
The Twin City Harmonizers delivered live performances in celebration of their 80th anniversary, presenting melodies from their upcoming event, An A Cappella Christmas.
Join CBC at Christkindl Market
The CBC Make The Season Kind food truck will be present in Kitchener from December 5 to 7 at the Christkindl Market.
It features a special dish crafted by renowned chef Dwight Smith — his curried chickpea and lentil stew creatively incorporates essential pantry items often needed by food banks.
Increasing Need in the Region
This year’s Make The Season Kind initiative coincides with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region’s report of a historic surge in demand for food assistance.
The community impact report, released in November, indicated a staggering total of nearly 622,000 visits to food hamper programs over the past year — marking a new peak.
Furthermore, the data revealed that 7,000 households accessed hamper programs more than eight times, reflecting a 21% escalation from the previous year.
The Food Bank’s CEO, Kim Wilhelm, expressed profound concern over these figures.
“Food assistance is no longer just a short-term solution. Rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and insufficient social support systems are compelling more individuals to depend on emergency food programs as a long-term resource,” stated Wilhelm.