About Us

Cambridge Food Bank•About Us
Mission Statement:

Building health and belonging through food, education, and advocacy.

Our Vision:

 A compassionate, equitable community, where everyone is nourished.

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About us: Image of the sign on the outside of our building

Land Acknowledgement

The Cambridge Food Bank, and the community we serve, is situated on the lands within the Haldimand Treaty of 1784, a formal agreement acknowledging six miles on either side of the Grand River as treaty territory belonging to Six Nations of the Grand River. This is the traditional territories of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples, and we honour their stewardship, past, present and future. We acknowledge the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples living across Turtle Island, and we are committed to understanding past experiences while actively working towards reconciliation.

Food Banks Canada and our network of Provincial Associations and Affiliate food bank will

THE ETHICAL FOODBANKING CODE

Food Banks Canada, the provincial associations, and affiliate food banks/programs will:

    1. Provide food and other assistance to those needing help regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, income source, age, and mental or physical ability.
    2. Treat all those who access services with the utmost dignity and respect.
    3. Implement best practices in the proper and safe storage and handling of food.
    4. Respect the privacy of those served and will maintain the confidentiality of personal information.
    5. Not sell donated food.
    6. Acquire and share food in a spirit of cooperation with other food banks and food programs.
    7. Strive to make the public aware of the existence of hunger and of the factors that contribute to it.
    8. Recognize that food banks are not a viable long-term response to hunger and devote part of their activities to reducing the need for food assistance.
    9. Represent accurately, honestly, and completely their respective mission and activities to the larger community.

History & Hunger

The Cambridge Food Bank first opened its doors in 1985 in response to a severe economic recession. 

The Cambridge Food Bank serves the City of Cambridge and the Township of North Dumfries, which together have a population of over 156,000 people.

Deeply rooted in the communities we serve, we support people to access healthy food and opportunity. In our downtown Galt location, and with satellites in Hespeler, Preston, we operate a variety of programs for our neighbours including emergency food assistance and our unique Mobile Food Market.

Seeing people holistically, we are distinctly, “more than a food bank”.   We also support people through partnering with community agencies, community gardens, and we offer youth and adult wellness programming for the whole family. 

We believe that a person’s dignity and self-respect are paramount and that everyone has something valuable to contribute. We work to overcome the stigma of utilizing a food bank. Our goal is to have everyone walking out feeling better than when they came in,

The Cambridge Food Bank is proud to partner with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region in building a food-secure Waterloo region. We directly serve communities in Cambridge and North Dumfries, providing access to healthy food and support opportunities. In co-leadership with The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, we help ensure the Community Food Assistance Network runs smoothly, making hunger-relief services available across Waterloo region.

We are also proud members of FeedOntario and Food Banks Canada. 

At all times, we adhere to the ethical food banking code:

Ethical Food Banking Code

We are thrilled to share that we’ve been accredited through Food Banks Canada’s Standards of Excellence program. This is a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication to providing our clients with the highest quality of service.

Grant Recognitions

The Cambridge Food Bank is fortunate to receive grants to help support our mission of building health and belonging through food.  Please recognize the following organizations for their support.

Testimonials

From The Community

Hear from community members that we have worked with below and read about our impact as reported by the Cambridge Times here.

I wanted to personally know what people feel and experience here. The lineup moved up so quickly that before I knew it, it was my turn. I was greeted in the most friendly manner. The staff there is well-versed in making every individual feel comfortable at a time of crisis. Too many people feel shunned by simply thinking of going to places for help. There is no need to feel shunned here. Everyone, no matter race or creed, is welcomed here.
Line Design
I recently had cancer and chemotherapy, which left me weak and intimidated. The Health Promoter is knowledgeable, helpful, and has a great personality—friendly and fun. She has inspired me to put together my own exercise program. I’ve started walking and I’m able to add more activities. This yoga class is helping to save my life.
Anonymous Design
Craving Change has helped me make changes to have a healthier lifestyle. I took the course three times and my sugars are under which lessened my diabetic pills and insulin. I lost 20 lbs. and the courses, exercises, and cooking healthy is keeping me healthy! This is a great experience and I will keep doing it.
Susan Design
I have started reading nutrition labels on everything. I was shocked to learn about how much salt we consume from breakfast cereals, juice, and frozen dinners. Healthy Treats taught me many substitutions including bean flour, and coconut flour.
Mark Design
I cannot put into words how much the Chronic Pain program meant to me. Not only from being tailored to my own specific needs, the excellent techniques but also for the social aspect and comradery experienced in this learning journey.
Beverly
We have so much fun during these sessions. Zoom has been a big help and doing these sessions we became friends with the participants and have a great time. No room to feel isolated and lonely.☺☺
Kohar
A great community service that assists with managing the cost of groceries.  It's used by seniors on a pension and people who are working, anyone who is in need is welcome.  The volunteers are kind and treat you with respect. I am very grateful to have been introduced to all the services the Cambridge Food Bank offers.
Community Pantry participant
I have learned so many different tips and nutrition labeling info from Lunch and Learn and Global Kitchen sessions every week. It is great to make healthy nutritious treats and enjoying them with the kids- guilt free too!!
Deedra
I wanted to extend my appreciation for doing these self-help sessions. They have helped me so much that, even if the course is repeated, I would like to participate in them again. I am sure I can get new tips from you. You always make it so much fun and tasks that seem so hard you show us how to make them so easy and give us ways to achieve a lot without exhausting ourselves. Take it easy, do what you can and when you can. Don't forget to take breaks in between. Those are things that we usually forget in our daily life and suffer afterwards. Now I follow the teaching and do my work mindfully. It seems every area of my life has become mindful. Again, I would like to thank you, Chai, for the fun and educational sessions. I pray that they will continue for the longest time possible.
Kohar