Food4Kids Waterloo Region

Food4Kids Waterloo Region began in September 2016, when we recognized that there was a gap in food security for children living throughout Waterloo Region, on weekends and during school breaks. This includes every weekend during the school year and for the 11 weeks of school breaks (Winter, March, and Summer).

Starting in the dining room of our founder, we provided bags of nutritious food for 19 kids at 6 schools. With the volunteer and financial support of our incredible community, we have been able to increase our ability to meet the nutritional needs of vulnerable children. In the 2021-22 school year, we served over 950 children in 50 schools for the 40 weekends during the school year and provided daily support during the 90 days of school breaks. We now are supporting 1,100 children attending 75 schools.

At Food4Kids Waterloo Region, the well-being of children is the centre of our focus. We strive to ensure accessibility and inclusiveness, while advocating for the elimination of chronic hunger and food insecurity. We serve children of all backgrounds and cultures, including new Canadians, Indigenous People, and Black or Persons of Colour. We are also the only local organization that provides food packages that meet cultural requirements (Halal) and specific dietary restrictions, making up 45% of our total food packages.

Currently we are in 75 schools across Waterloo Region, including local public, Catholic, and French school boards. We are limited in our funding and increase children and schools when we can. Schools contact us to help children who have little to no food at home. There are approximately another 63 schools who have children who need our program.