Waterloo-Wellington, Ont., September 22, 2026 – The Balsillie Family Foundation is investing an additional $4.5 million in four food banks serving Waterloo-Wellington, providing long-term support at a time when food insecurity is reaching record levels across the region.
The investment will strengthen the capacity of the Cambridge Food Bank, Centre Wellington Food Bank, Guelph Food Bank, and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region to respond to growing demand while building the infrastructure and community partnerships needed to improve access to nutritious food for years to come.
The announcement comes as food banks across Ontario continue to experience unprecedented demand. In Waterloo-Wellington alone, food bank use has more than tripled since 2019, with more than 82,000 adults and children experiencing food insecurity. Similar trends are being seen across the province as rising housing costs, inflation, and stagnant incomes leave more households struggling to afford basic necessities.
Today’s investment builds on the Balsillie Family Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting community well-being and increasing access to nutritious food. Combined with previous contributions to food assistance and community food initiatives across the region, the Foundation has now invested more than $6 million in efforts to strengthen food security and community resilience throughout Waterloo-Wellington.
In addition to supporting immediate needs and long-term capacity building, the investment will help launch a range of local initiatives and future campaigns tailored to the unique needs of each community.
- Cambridge Food Bank will support the completion of its new facility and the development of a welcoming community hub focused on food, connection, and well-being.
- Centre Wellington Food Bank, located in Fergus, will launch and expand the Well Fed Wellington initiative, creating new pathways to nutritious food throughout Wellington County.
- Guelph Food Bank will expand initiatives that increase access to healthy food, rescue and process local food, and create opportunities for learning and community participation.
- The Food Bank of Waterloo Region will invest in food procurement, storage, processing, and distribution infrastructure to strengthen the regional food assistance network.
Additional details about individual projects and campaigns will be shared by each organization in the coming weeks and months.
Quick facts
- $4.5 million investment from the Balsillie Family Foundation will support the Cambridge Food Bank, Centre Wellington Food Bank, Guelph Food Bank, and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
- Food bank use in Waterloo-Wellington has more than tripled since 2019.
- More than 82,000 adults and children are accessing food support across Waterloo-Wellington.
- More than 29,000 children are accessing food assistance across Waterloo-Wellington communities served by the four food banks.
- Across Ontario, more than 1 million people accessed a food bank in 2024-25, the highest level ever recorded.
- Food banks in Ontario recorded 7 million visits in 2024–25, a 165% increase since 2019-20.
Quotes
“Food insecurity is affecting growing numbers of people across Waterloo-Wellington and across Ontario. This investment recognizes both the urgency of the need and the importance of building strong community infrastructure that can help people access healthy food with dignity. The leadership and innovation demonstrated by these organizations gives me tremendous confidence in what is possible.” | Jim Balsillie, Balsillie Family Foundation
“Food may bring someone through our doors, but it’s only the beginning of what’s possible. This investment will help us create a community hub where people can access healthy food with dignity, build connections, learn and find new opportunities. We’re incredibly grateful for this investment and the lasting impact it will have on the people and families we serve in Cambridge and North Dumfries.” | Dianne McLeod, CEO, Cambridge Food Bank
“This investment will help us launch Well Fed Wellington, a new initiative designed to create more equitable access to healthy food throughout Wellington County. It gives us the opportunity to strengthen local partnerships, expand community-based food access, and ensure people can access nutritious food in ways that are affordable, accessible, and dignified.” | Curt McQueen, Executive Director, Centre Wellington Food Bank
“For almost 40 years, the Guelph Food Bank has adapted as the needs of our community have changed. Today, we are facing another one of those moments. Demand has grown dramatically but so has the opportunity to rethink how we respond. This transformational donation will allow us to invest in the infrastructure we need to feed people today and tomorrow, while strengthening community connections, building practical skills and creating a more resilient community.” | Cameron Spence, Operations Director, Guelph Food Bank
“What makes this investment especially meaningful is that it allows us to think beyond immediate need and plan for the future. The funding will help strengthen the infrastructure that supports food assistance throughout Waterloo region, giving us the stability to make strategic investments that improve access to nutritious food and support our community for years to come.” | Kim Wilhelm, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
“Across our network, we see food banks responding to record levels of need while adapting to the increasingly complex challenges facing people and families in communities across Ontario. Investments like this strengthen local food banks, giving them the space, infrastructure, and resources they need to respond to immediate needs while building capacity for the future. This extraordinary gift will make a lasting difference for people and families in these four communities and help move us toward a future where fewer people need to rely on food banks.” | Carolyn Stewart, CEO, Feed Ontario
Media assets
- Food insecurity snapshot (local, provincial, and national)
- Four food bank logos
- Gift announcement video
- Jim Balsillie profile and headshot
- Waterloo-Wellington map icon
About The Balsillie Family Foundation
Balsillie Family Foundation is a Canadian private foundation dedicated to supporting charitable initiatives that advance community well-being, education, research, and social impact. Through strategic philanthropy, the Foundation partners with organizations across Canada to help address important social challenges and create lasting public benefit.
About the participating organizations
Together, the Cambridge Food Bank, Centre Wellington Food Bank, Guelph Food Bank, and The Food Bank of Waterloo Region support more than 82,000 adults and children facing food insecurity across Waterloo-Wellington. As demand for food assistance continues to reach record levels, the four organizations work collaboratively to ensure neighbours have access to the food and support they need, while building long-term solutions that strengthen the health and well-being of our communities.
Media contacts
Cambridge Food Bank
Dianne McLeod, CEO
dmcleod@thefoodbank.ca
Centre Wellington Food Bank
Curt McQueen, Executive Director
info@cwfoodbank.org
Guelph Food Bank
Cameron Spence, Director of Operations
operations@guelphfoodbank.ca
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region
Michelle Rickard
Manager, Marketing and Communications
media@thefoodbank.ca