Feeding The Future | Cambridge Food Bank

November 5, 2026November 5, 2026

Cambridge Food Bank Reaches $10 Million Milestone in $12 Million Capital Campaign

CAMBRIDGE, ON – November 2, 2026 – Cambridge Food Bank has raised $10 million toward its $12 million Feeding the Future Capital Campaign, a major milestone in its vision to transform food access, education and community programming in Cambridge and North Dumfries at a time when demand for food assistance continues to reach record levels.

The announcement was made on October 30 at Feeding the Future: Together, a special fundraising event held at Tapestry Hall. The evening brought together donors, sponsors, community partners and supporters to celebrate the campaign’s progress and the extraordinary generosity that has brought the organization within $2 million of its goal.

The investment comes at a critical time. In the 2024–2025 fiscal year, Cambridge Food Bank recorded 23,532 visits for emergency food assistance, a 19 per cent increase over the previous year, and more than double the number recorded before the pandemic.

The campaign received a significant boost in September when philanthropist Jim Balsillie committed $1 million and established a matching gift opportunity that allows donors to double the impact of their contributions.

Reflecting on the Food Bank’s vision, Jim Balsillie said:

“The Cambridge Food Bank understands that good food is not only a necessity, but it’s actually tightly linked to mental health and overall well-being. The community garden, community kitchen, education programs, going into schools, and family cooking environments are really beautiful approaches to holistic healing and nourishing of the community.”

The remaining funds needed through the Feeding the Future campaign will help bring Cambridge Food Bank’s vision for its new home at 384 Franklin Boulevard to life.

The larger, more accessible facility will feature an expanded food pantry where individuals and families can choose groceries that meet their household needs. A commercial teaching kitchen, dedicated spaces for classes and workshops, and accessible gardens and a greenhouse will create opportunities for people to learn practical skills, build confidence and connect with others.

Significantly improved food storage and distribution capacity will strengthen Cambridge Food Bank’s ability to respond to growing demand and get more nutritious food into the hands of people who need it. Nearly double the size of Cambridge Food Bank’s current facility, the new 30,000-square-foot building will provide the space needed to meet growing demand and expand programs that build food skills, health and belonging.

“We’re not simply building a bigger food bank. We’re creating a place where food, learning and community come together to change what’s possible for people experiencing food insecurity,” said Dianne McLeod, CEO of Cambridge Food Bank. “This is about reimagining how we support our neighbours and building something that will make a difference for generations to come.”

With just $2 million remaining to reach its goal, Cambridge Food Bank is calling on individuals, families, businesses and community partners to help bring the Feeding the Future campaign across the finish line. A limited number of naming opportunities remain available, giving families, businesses and community leaders a chance to leave a lasting legacy while helping complete this transformational community project.

To learn more about the Feeding the Future Capital Campaign or to make a donation, visit here

About Cambridge Food Bank

Cambridge Food Bank is dedicated to addressing food insecurity and promoting community well-being in Cambridge and North Dumfries. Guided by its mission to build health and belonging through food, education and advocacy, the organization offers programs and experiences that bring people together and strengthen the community.

For more media information, please contact:

Dianne McLeod

Chief Executive Officer

Cambridge Food Bank

519-622-6550 ext. 103

dmcleod@cambridgefoodbank.org

September 14, 2026September 21, 2026

Feeding the Future: Together: A New Chapter for Cambridge Food Bank

On Friday, October 30, the Cambridge Food Bank will officially launch the public phase of our $12 million Feeding the Future capital campaign at Feeding the Future: Together at Tapestry Hall.

It will be an evening to bring our community together, celebrate how far we’ve come and look ahead to what’s next.

For more than 40 years, the Cambridge Food Bank has been here to help people access good food with dignity. But as the need for food support continues to grow, we know we need to grow too.

That’s why we’re building a new home at 384 Franklin Boulevard.

A new home for a growing community

Our new facility will give us the space and resources we need to better serve Cambridge and North Dumfries today and into the future.

The new building will bring many parts of our work together under one roof, including space for food distribution, community programs, food literacy and more. It will also include a greenhouse and gardens, creating new opportunities to connect people with fresh food and learn about growing and preparing food.

This isn’t simply a new building. It’s an investment in the future of our community.

Coming together to Feed the Future

Feeding the Future: Together will mark an important milestone in making that future possible.

Guests will enjoy food stations, a wine raffle and silent auction, along with a special keynote from Bob Egan, formerly of The Blue Rodeo. The evening will also give community members, businesses and supporters an opportunity to learn more about the vision behind our new home and how they can be part of it.

We’re especially excited to bring Cambridge businesses together for this event. Building a stronger food system takes all of us, and local businesses have an important role to play in helping create a future where everyone in our community can access the food they need.

Tickets are now available. Purchase your tickets today and join us for an evening of great food, connection and community as we look ahead to the future of food support in Cambridge and North Dumfries.

Buy your tickets here

Help us Feed the Future

The public launch of the campaign is just the beginning.

Our goal is to raise $12 million to help make the new Cambridge Food Bank a reality. Every contribution brings us one step closer to creating a space that can support our community for generations to come.

Whether you choose to donate, become a campaign partner, attend an event or simply share our vision with others, there is a place for you in Feeding the Future.

Together, we can build more than a new food bank. We can build a stronger, more food-secure future for Cambridge and North Dumfries.

Learn more about Feeding the Future and how you can get involved here

Feeding community since 1985.

May 7, 2025May 13, 2025

Cambridge Food Bank searching for bigger space as demand grows

Although the Cambridge Food Bank still has four years remaining on its lease, increased demand is pushing them to search for a larger space and consider relocating sooner than anticipated.

The existing food bank location is 16,000 square feet and is equipped to serve a up to 800 people each month.

“But now we’re serving more than 2,000 families a month, and it’s become quite difficult to manage,” said Cambridge Food Bank CEO Dianne McLeod.

“That’s why we’re not waiting until our lease ends, because we’re really, really desperate to find a new location just because of the lack of space in this building.”

The food bank operates in a single long, narrow hallway that makes it difficult for staff and volunteers to manoeuvre carts loaded with food a dozen times a day.

McLeod said they can’t use powered equipment in the space.

“It’s very hard on our team’s backs because it’s so small in here,” she said. “We distribute over a million pounds of food and all of that is hand lifted.”

Due to the rising demand, the food bank has resorted to storing some food off-site and in the office space on the second floor.

Cambridge Food Bank begins search for new location

After more than 20 years on Ainslie Street South, the Cambridge Food Bank is looking for a new location.

Dianne McLeod, the CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank, said the increase in demand has caused the location to run out of space. She describes it as a series of small rooms and single hallway, saying the organization moves food around several times before it goes out the door.

“We move it approximately five times before it gets out to the people in need,” said McLeod. “To do that, we’re going up and down a narrow hallway dozens of times a day moving food up and down because the room where we distribute food is at the front of the building.”

The push is on for a new Cambridge Food Bank location

The food bank’s 2025 capital campaign is focusing on securing a new home

“It doesn’t take long walking through the Cambridge Food Bank to realize space is tight.

On any given day, bins and boxes of food fill sorting spaces, hallways and even offices.

Staff make due but as demand continues to rise, it’s becoming clear that a larger, more functional space is required to adequately provide the needed service to the community.

It’s why executive director Dianne McLeod and her team are focusing a capital campaign around finding a new location.”