We Help
More Than A Food Bank
At the Cambridge Food Bank, ‘More Than a Food Bank’ means we’re not just about providing food; we’re about making a real impact on our community. Scroll below to see the positive changes we are making beyond emergency food assistance. Your support helps us build a stronger and more connected community.
Featured Articles
‘Nature has been kind to us:’ warm, wet weather helps food bank crops
The Cambridge Food Bank’s annual summer harvest is on track thanks to rain and warm temperatures. Click here to read more
Cambridge Food Bank mascot gets its name
‘Olive’ was selected due to it simplicity, friendliness and connection to food.
Click here to learn more
Click here to learn more
Video Highlights
Family Over Everything – A Journey to a Better Life
While the path may be different for everyone, we know that for many, using a food bank is a temporary step on their journey to a better life.
Meet Theo and his family and see how far their journey has taken them.
The Importance of Food Sovereignty
Stay tuned for an inspiring new video featuring our Mobile Food Market (MFM) filmed at the Langs. This video will highlight the importance of food sovereignty in Waterloo Region, showcasing community-driven solutions to food insecurity and the vital role of local initiatives like the Langs MFM in bringing fresh, nutritious food directly to those in need. Coming soon…
2024
January 1 2024
Cambridge Food Bank workshop helping people take control of their health
January 4 2024
Search continues for new home for Cambridge Food Bank
January 6 2024
Cambridge Food Bank looking for a larger space to combat rise in food insecurity
January 10 2024
Funding boost helps Food Bank of Waterloo Region fight complexities of food insecurity
January 15 2024
Music bingo fundraiser to benefit Cambridge Food Bank
January 23 2024
Federal government announces $1 million in funding for Cambridge services
February 7 2024
Cambridge Food Bank running free cooking classes for youth
February 21 2024
Cambridge Food Bank releases free March Break activity schedule
February 23 2024
Cambridge Food Bank in need of donations
March 9 2024
Cambridge Food Bank running stuff-a-van event this weekend
March 12 2024
Help the ongoing battle against hunger during ‘Stuff a Van’ events
March 12 2024
Cambridge Food Bank’s aid doubles over two years, time to replenish shelves
March 25 2024
Mobile Food Market expands to offer online shop
March 27 2024
Cambridge Food Bank opens registration for free youth spring programs
March 28 2024
Donation push for Cambridge Food Bank
April 2 2024
Sorting volunteers put on hold at Cambridge Food Bank as donations dip
April 5 2024
Cambridge Food Bank seeks feedback to better understand food insecurity
April 9 2024
Cambridge Food Bank scrambling to save food after Monday night arson
April 9 2024
Rush to save food after fire at Cambridge Food Bank
April 16 2024
Community support helps Cambridge Food Bank bounce back from fire
April 16 2024
Community helps Cambridge Food Bank rebound after arson
April 18 2024
St. Augustine students step up in support of the Cambridge Food Bank
April 22 2024
Mothers’ Day fundraiser aims to help the Cambridge Food Bank
April 24 2024
Cambridge Food Bank named beneficiary of Tim Hortons Smile Cookie campaign
May 24 2024
Smile Cookie campaign gives sweet boost to Cambridge food bank
May 31 2024
Cambridge Food Bank mascot gets its name
June 19 2024
Food Bank celebrating Pollinator week at Cambridge farmers’ markets
June 26 2024
Cambridge Food Bank fundraiser returns
June 27 2024
Volunteer group readies for summer of Cambridge Food Bank drives
July 4 2024
Local chicken farmers donate 4,000 meals to the Cambridge Food Bank
July 8 2024
High school volunteer hours available through Cambridge Food Bank
July 12 2024
Dave Ottenbrite is on a mission to Jazz up Galt’s core
2023
Aug 22 2023
Federal funding supports 64 Waterloo Region organizations. Grants of $3 million came from the Community Services Recovery Fund
July 29 2023
Huge increase in homeowners & full-time workers using Cambridge food bank, report finds. ‘Food is going out as fast as we bring it in’ says Cambridge Food Bank executive director
July 27 2023
Children’s Wellness Hub reopens after being forced to close during pandemic. Porchlight counselling services cuts the ribbon on their children’s wellness hub and welcomes Cambridge youth back for support
July 27 2023
People accessing the food bank up nearly 100 per cent in all categories. Cambridge Food Bank continues to see unprecedented numbers of new users as demand for it’s services skyrocket
July 26 2023
Seasons Cambridge retirement home gives back to food bank. Cambridge seniors collected dozens of cans of food and raised $2,100 for the Cambridge Food Bank earlier this month
July 21 2023
Food insecurity ‘across the map’ in Cambridge, according to food bank’s 2022 Hunger Report. Number of full- and part-time workers using food bank rose 88 per cent
July 16 2023
Cambridge Food Bank Hunger Report shows increase in homeowners and first time users
July 15 2023
Community group to host charity BBQ to help feed children. Cambridge Food Drive Initiative is partnering with the Food Bank for a charity BBQ to help reach their goal of 5600 lbs of food donations
July 5 2023
Cambridge Food Bank helps community thrive with free programs. Free programs range from healthy cooking to yoga
July 3 2023
Cambridge Food Drive Initiative continues commitment to feeding youth. The community group is seeking support and volunteers for multiple food drives this month
February 2 2023
Interest in Cambridge Food Bank’s mobile market up significantly. Rising costs are a reason why the food bank’s Mobile Food Market has seen a 127 per cent rise in visits over the last year
January 2023
Thank you from the Cambridge Food Bank. The need has never been higher, yet the community ensured no plate was empty last holiday season
January 8 2023
Cambridge Food Bank launches winter programming. The food bank is running programs to help residents with their New Year’s resolutions
2022
December 29 2022
Our Top 10 People Stories Of ’22: #3 Wanting to give back. CambridgeToday counts down its favourite people stories of 2022
December 12 2022
‘Unsustainable’: Food bank visits in Ontario up 42% from 2019. Waterloo Region advocates say drastic social policy changes are needed
December 10 2022
Shining a light on Waterloo region volunteers that help community and local food banks. ‘For me, this is about helping people if I can. I don’t know another way,’ says Paul McMenemy
December 7 2022
Latest Hunger Report shines light on region’s growing food insecurity. Cambridge Food Bank alone distributed over 21,000 emergency food hampers last year and saw interest in its Mobile Market grow from 60 shoppers a week to almost 600 a week
November 14 2022
Talk about curb ap-peel: Cambridge food bank’s mobile market a ‘social enterprise’ for the entire community
September 1 2022
Cambridge man raises $5,700 so food bank can buy back-to-school snacks
2021
2016-2020
December 21 2020
Waterloo region charities receive $60,000 grant from Cambridge insurance company. The donation benefits three organizations
December 9 202
Big turk: Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank receives turkey donation during Christmas campaign
December 8 2020
Give like Santa: Local stores donate $10,000 to Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank forecasting 1,500 people in local area will require a Christmas hamper this holiday season
June 20 2020
How the pandemic has affected the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank
June 1 2020
‘It often takes a crisis to make collaboration possible’: Cambridge charity looks toward new normal. $2.4 million in support available to charities
May 15 2020
‘Fight COVID-19 by feeding the community’: Cambridge food bank gardens raising funds to provide food. rare Charitable Research Reserve dedicated to growing food for vulnerable
May 4 2020
‘As usual the Hespeler community dug deep to help out’: Bottle drive raises money for Cambridge food bank. Traffic was steady all weekend in legion parking lot as donations rolled in
April 29 2020
North Dumfries residents helping Cambridge food bank this Saturday. Organizers are planning a different type of drive-thru service
April 15 2020
Cambridge food bank keeps food on the table despite COVID-19. Community support proving vital to keeping shelves stocked
March 20 2020
Cambridge food bank gears up for increasing clientele. Surge expected as businesses shut down
March 10 2020
City land purchase not likely to relieve Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank parking woes. Parking spots lacking in downtown for food drop-off and volunteers
February 20 2020
Cameron Dearlove steps down from Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. Former executive director departs after a year and a half
December 19 2019
‘It’s Christmas for everyone’: Cambridge shelter, food bank bring holiday spirit to those in need
November 26 2019
‘Let’s try to make sure nobody goes hungry this year’: Cambridge and North Dumfries go all in on food bank donations. Food bank, firefighters and Salvation Army aim to help more than 1,200 Cambridge area families this Christmas
November 19 2019
Cambridge food bank needs help to stuff a bus this weekend. Donations will help feed 1,600 individuals and families this winter
November 9 2019
Greens on Queen garden ‘Bridge’s hunger gap with large Cambridge food bank donation. Hespeler garden yields 380 pounds of fresh food for people in need
July 24 2019
Cambridge food bank digs into mental health wellness through gardening. Executive director Cameron Dearlove talks about food bank’s Children’s Mental Wellness Club
July 8 2019
Cambridge churches aim to one-up each other in friendly food bank challenge. Annual program goes a long way to support locals in need, writes Walter Gowing
May 22 2019
Cambridge Food Bank digs in at rare Charitable Research Reserve. Local politicians and volunteers pitch in the plant community garden
April 25 2019
Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank plants seeds for those in need with new program
March 19 2019
Cambridge food bank spring drive issues challenge to students. Spring campaign offers friendly classroom challenge, launches drive with skate event
March 18 2019
Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank readying for spring drive. Walter Gowing writes about a legion donation that will help in advance of March 23 kickoff
November 13 2018
Cambridge food bank’s reach extends to North Dumfries. Walter Gowing watches the food bank help the township at a satellite location
November 9 2018
Cambridge Food Bank gets regional grant for Indigenous garden programs. Grant money will go plant food grown by Indigenous people prior to colonization and show food bank clients how to grow, prepare and store these foods. It will also create a space for Indigenous people to connect with the land and their heritage.
September 28 2018
Cambridge Food Bank invites candidates to sort food
September 24 2018
Friendly competition boosts summer donations to Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank. City churches collect over 7,000 items during summer food drive, writes Walter Gowing
September 21 2018
Cambridge food bank launches fall harvest food drive
July 2 2018
Cambridge churches launch summer food drive challenge. A little friendly competition helps boost donations to Cambridge Food Bank, writes Walter Gowing
June 4 2018
New Cambridge food bank leader aims to continue the legacy. New executive director Cameron Dearlove follows in footsteps of retiring leader Pat Singleton
March 21 2018
Cambridge spring food drive gets underway
March 12, 2018
The local food bank helps feed more than 2,000 individuals and families each month.
March 2 2018
Food bank chief retiring after 24 years
December 21 2016
City, businesses team up to provide 400 turkeys for food bank
November 8 2016
Cambridge food bank’s holiday wish list. The food bank typically provides assistance for more than 700 families during the Christmas season.
September 28 2016
Nutritional value over mass for fall food drive
September 28 2016
Baby food donation helps launch food bank’s fall drive
2011-2015
September 30 2015
Three decades of feeding Cambridge’s hungry
July 15 2015
Food bank supplies at ‘an all-time low’ – donations sought
June 4 2015
Brown Bag Lunch set for Wednesday
April 16 2015
Easter drive falling below expectations
March 27 2015
Spring food drive in full swing – runs until April 17
December 23 2014
#CbridgeClash garners nearly 7,000 pounds of food donation
October 2 2014
Kicking off the fall food drive – donations needed
April 16 2014
Infant nutrition workshop teaches how to make baby food
April 10 2014
Cambridge food bank kicks off spring drive
April 10 2014
Assisting grandparenting
November 11 2013
114,000 pounds of food collected
October 3 2013
Food bank launches its Thanksgiving food drive
September 25 2013
Cambridge food bank handed out more than 12,000 hampers last year
April 8 2013
Food bank donations still needed for Easter drive
October 4, 2012
The food bank serves nearly 1,600 families each month
October 17, 2011
The Cambridge Self Help Food Bank now distributes 1,400 emergency baskets and helps 600 co-op families
February 3, 2011
The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank currently provides food to more than 1,800 families
2007-2010
August 23 2010
HISTORY In 2010, close to 1,200 a month food hampers go out the door each month. There are 600 families on the roster now.
August 19, 2008
The number of households that use the local food bank has increased by 170% since 2001.
October 7, 2008
The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank feeds more than 1,200 families and individuals in Cambridge and North Dumfries every month
November 1, 2007
The food bank provided more than 6,700 emergency food hampers to people in need last year
"We believe that access to nutritious food is a basic and fundamental human right. "
From The Cambridge Food Bank Guiding Principles