Help Derek raise money

Hi, I’m Derek. This year, my daughter Charlie and I are once again lacing up our sneakers—this time not just for our first 5K, but for something far greater: the fundamental right to food.

We’re running to support The Local, our Community Food Centre here in Stratford, which is part of a national movement that’s now rebranding as Right to Food. The reason is urgent: food insecurity in Canada has doubled in recent years—from 1 in 8 people to 1 in 4. That’s millions of people struggling to put good food on the table in one of the world’s wealthiest countries.

For us, this is deeply personal. I was proud to work at The Local for nine years, and today my partner Jenn (Charlie’s mom) leads the Community Access Market there. We’ve seen first-hand the difference it makes when people are given not just food, but dignity, connection, and a voice in building a healthier, more just food system.

This moment calls for more than charity—it calls for change. Around the world, we’re witnessing the devastating impact of human-caused famine, like in Gaza, where the starvation of civilians has become a deliberate policy choice. In the face of injustice—at home and abroad—this run is our very small way of standing up and saying: food is a human right, not a privilege.

Every dollar we raise supports The Local’s vital programs—free community meals, affordable markets, food education, and spaces of belonging—all aimed at ending poverty and reclaiming the right to good food for everyone.

Thank you for being part of this movement with us.