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 – March 2025:

• 373  households accessed the Cambridge Food Bank for the first time, a 20% decrease over the same period in 2024. This indicates 13% of unique households served are new visits.
• 2,799 unique households accessed the Cambridge Food Bank, a 7% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 6,616 unique individuals supported by the Cambridge Food Bank, a 5% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 5,983  hampers distributed to participants, a 11% increase over the same period in 2024.

 Ages – Unique 

• 2,211 children were between 0 and 18 years old, a 1% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 400 seniors were aged 65 and older, a 13% increase over the same period in 2024.

Housing 

• 2,127  unique households lived in a private rental, a 5% increase over the same period in 2024. This indicates 76% of households served live in rentals.
• 212 unique households lived in social housing, a 2% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 116 unique households were homeowners, a  6% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 134 unique households lived with family or friends, a 11% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 114 unique households lived in an emergency shelter or are experiencing homelessness an 44% increase over the same period in 2024.

• 816 unique households were receiving Ontario Works, a 15% increase over the same period in 2024. This indicates 29% of all unique households served with income type shared are receiving OW.
• 616 unique households were receiving Ontario Disability Support Program payments, a 10% increase over the same period in 2024. This indicates 23% of all unique households served with income type shared are receiving ODSP.
• 649 unique households were employed, a 8% increase over the same period in 2024.  This represents 23% of unique households served during this time.
• 84 unique households have no income source, a –10% decrease over the same period in 2024.
• 63 unique households were receiving an Old Age Pension, a 26% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 163 unique households were receiving CPP payments, a 17% increase over the same period in 2024.
• 102 unique households were receiving Employment Insurance payments, a 21% increase over the same period in 2024.