Kindred and Local Communities Help Raise $63,000 for Food Security!

Kindred teammates, members, and community came together in the month of November to donate a total of $63,000 to community food security!

This recent journey in addressing food security concerns began when The Food Bank of Waterloo Region hosted a team of 24 enthusiastic staff members at their distribution centre as part of their Engagement program.

The Food Bank acquires and distributes fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food to the Community Food Assistance Network, a system of more than 120 agencies and community programs that work together to provide food, support, and services to people experiencing food insecurity in Waterloo region. The Food Bank’s goal is to reduce hunger in our region and identify proactive solutions to address poverty and food insecurity.

Founded in 1984, The Food Bank was originally located at the House of Friendship Hostel on Charles Street. After about a year, it moved to 50 Kent Street (home of Kindred’s Kitchener branch). As it continued to grow to meet increasing needs, The Food Bank moved several times until, following a successful capital campaign, it relocated to its current home at 50 Alpine Court in 2000.

Food security is recognized as a pressing issue that is increasing in severity across our communities. Through our community engagement work, we learned that food banks are seeing sustained increases in demand for their programs and resources at record breaking levels. According to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, currently “1 in 10 households in Waterloo region struggling to put food on the table.”

Recognizing the need and importance of food security in our local communities, Kindred participated in two sorting and packaging events at The Food Bank on November 14 and 29. In total, between the two visits, Kindred teammates sorted and packed a total combined weight of 7,827 pounds which equals 6,113 meals for people at a time when food security is most necessary.

“We’re so grateful to Kindred and other corporate groups for helping us sort and organize non-perishable food donations. Together, we’re ensuring that every member of our community has access to nourishment, leaving no one to face hunger. Your commitment truly makes a meaningful difference in the fight against food insecurity,” says Kim Wilhelm, interim CEO of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.

Helping to sort and package non-perishables only addresses a small aspect of food security. As such, Kindred teammates, members, and community continued to help bring our purpose to life in the communities we’re so fortunate to serve. All eight of Kindred’s branches and our head office participated in the first Kindred-wide food drive by collecting financial donations and non-perishables. – collectively, we raised a total of $29,000 across our branches.

Furthermore, Kindred was pleased to contribute a matching contribution of $24,000 plus two additional donations through November: Food 4 Kids WR received $5,000, and $5,000 will go to The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, bringing monetary donations to a total of $63,000! The donations raised by branches and matching funds will be distributed to local food banks in their respective communities.

John Klassen, Kindred’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, noted, “It has been inspiring to see the Kindred teammates and member communities come together in support of this important initiative. We are pleased with the results, and extend a heartfelt thank-you to each and every person who contributed. We know your donations will benefit each community and our neighbours who are facing hunger.”

With Community Food Security as one of our Community Inspiration Framework focus themes, we offer our sincere thanks to everyone who participated, donated, and spread the word! Your generosity means more meals will get on the tables of those who need it most.