Community Impact

People who go to food banks for help don’t all have the same story, and there are many different reasons why someone might need emergency food. It could be because they lost their job suddenly, don’t earn enough money, can’t afford the high cost of food, or don’t have affordable housing. Fixing the problem of not having enough food is complicated and the solution is complex.

1 in 8 households in Waterloo region are struggling to afford to put food on the table.  Last year, the Community Food Assistance Network supported 58,000 individuals in need. 

Thanks to you, our caring community, the Network can provide access and connection to food and other essential services and resources that help people move forward with their lives.

THE NEED: What we’re seeing..

Between January – May 2025:

• 564  households accessed the Cambridge Food Bank for the first time, a 31% decrease over the same period in 2024. This indicates 17% of unique households served are new visits.
• 3,282 unique households accessed the Cambridge Food Bank, a 5% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 7,656 unique individuals supported by the Cambridge Food Bank, a 1% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 9,981 hampers distributed to participants, a 9% increase over the same period in 2024.

 Ages – Unique 

• 2,521 children were between 0 and 18 years old, a 2% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 449 seniors were aged 65 and older, a 12% increase over the same period in 2024.

Housing 

• 2,477  unique households lived in a private rental, a 1% decrease over the same period in 2024. This indicates 75% of households served live in rentals.
• 246 unique households lived in social housing, a 2% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 128 unique households were homeowners, a  11% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 166 unique households lived with family or friends, a 3% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 148 unique households lived in an emergency shelter or are experiencing homelessness an 35% increase over the same period in 2024.

• 776 unique households were receiving Ontario Works, a 13% decrease over the same period in 2024. This indicates 24% of all unique households served with income type shared are receiving OW.
• 737 unique households were receiving Ontario Disability Support Program payments, a 3% increase over the same period in 2024. This indicates 22% of all unique households served with income type shared are receiving ODSP.
• 739 unique households were employed, a 4% increase over the same period in 2024.  This represents 23% of unique households served during this time.
• 103 unique households have no income source, a –23% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 72 unique households were receiving an Old Age Pension, a 29% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 187 unique households were receiving CPP payments, a 17% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 118 unique households were receiving Employment Insurance payments, a 13% increase over the same period in 2024