Together with the community, Food4Kids Waterloo Region currently provides healthy food packages to 1,100 children living with chronic hunger in severe food-insecure homes on weekends and breaks.

Consistent hunger, even just over weekends and extended school breaks, can set a child back for life.  Kids who are consistently hungry can lose hours of productivity per school day, fall behind in math and reading, exhibit higher rates of behavioural problems, and have higher levels of anxiety and depression. The consequences of hunger extend far beyond the classroom.

Over 3,000 children throughout Waterloo Region live with chronic hunger, and Food4Kids Waterloo Region currently is meeting 50% of the true need, serving only 75 of 151 schools in the Region.

Although children leave our program as their families are no longer in need, they are quickly replaced with our ever-growing waitlist of children and schools who need our program. Many children do not have access to the nourishment they require to thrive mentally, physically, or socially. School nutrition programs help, but these programs only exist during the week. 

At Food4Kids Waterloo Region, we believe every child deserves an equal opportunity to thrive, learn, and achieve their full potential. Children who eat over the weekend and during school breaks exhibit improved memory, grades, reduced absenteeism, and less behavioural problems, anxiety and improved overall mood. They can focus on their lessons and participate more fully in class, and relate to their peers better – and they have a better chance of growing healthy mentally, physically and socially, later in adolescence and adulthood. Together, we can create a brighter future for our community, by providing healthy food to our most vulnerable children.

Imagine a community where every child has the nutrition they need to thrive, learn, and achieve their full potential. That's the transformation we're working towards. When you join us, you become a part of this transformation.

How we help:

• Teachers within the 50% of schools we currently serve identify vulnerable children living with chronic hunger and contact us for help.

• Every weekend of the school year and during school breaks, we provide nourishing food to children ages 1- 14.

• Every Friday, food packages are delivered to the schools by volunteers. Each bag includes approximately 20 items (6 meals and snacks) including proteins, fresh fruit and vegetables, milk, cereals, grains, and other healthy items.

• Once at the school, educators discreetly hand out the bags and children happily take their bags home, since many go home to little or no food.  

We also provide food during the 90 days of school breaks - winter, summer and spring, statutory holidays and PD days.  47% of our food packages meet at Halal menu, and 13.5% of our bags are allergy specific. The children we support represent many cultures and ethnic backgrounds, including new Canadians, Metis, First Nation, People of Colour and Caucasians.