Food insecurity has seen a dramatic rise in recent times. According to Feed Ontario’s 2023 Hunger Report, over 800,000 people accessed food banks in Ontario between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023. This marks a 38% increase over the previous year. Hunger is one of society’s most pressing issues and that is why Kindred chose Hunger as one of our social impact focus themes. With the help of a Kindred Charitable Fund grant, Anishnabeg Outreach (AO) is actively addressing this issue within the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities of the Waterloo Region and Guelph.
Founded in 1996 as a job training program, AO quickly grew to meet a variety of social, spiritual, and practical needs in the urban First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. They offer programs focused on children, employment, and healing, as well as a culturally-appropriate food program. The Spirit Bundle food program began serving a few dozen families in 2020, and has grown to serving over 400 families bi-weekly, in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. Families learn about the program primarily through word of mouth, and once registered, they receive fresh produce, frozen meat, bread, pantry items, and even a variety of personalized items including things like pet food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items and diapers, if needed.
“I think what people love about this program is its ability to meet the unique needs of each individual and their family. We do this by offering customized support that even extends to include traditional medicines such as sweetgrass, sage, tobacco and cedar, which we grow ourselves,” reports Caitlyn McComb, the Director of Strategic Initiatives at AO.
Alongside Spirit Bundles, AO offers a Christmas gift program, Halloween costume program, and a back-to-school program for families with school-aged children. They also provide cultural programs such as painting and beading workshops. Currently, they are developing a new initiative called AONest, a self-guided software system for mental health management and outcomes.
Kindred has a unique purpose, cooperative banking that connects values and faith with finances, inspiring peaceful, just, and prosperous communities. It's a beautiful promise and aspiration, meant to be lived out and experienced. We’re grateful that through the Kindred Charitable Fund, we were able to support AO who helps bring our purpose to life in the communities we serve.