Halton food banks wrap up holiday operations after helping dozens of families in need

Many food banks in the Halton region are reaching the eleventh hour as they wrap up operations for the year, with a reminder that food insecurity exists all year round.

The Burlington Food Bank was buzzing with action Wednesday morning with both donors and volunteers.

“It’s always nice to do something to help someone out, especially around the holidays,” said Sam Farrell, who volunteers at the Burlington Food Bank.

“We don’t realize how privileged and lucky many of us are, and I think everyone should give back to the community however they can,” said Pia Foss-Pedersen, who also volunteers at the Burlington Food Bank.

Demand for food banks typically spikes around the holiday season and this year has been no different.

“Perhaps they’re having to choose between a gift for a loved one and food — a lunch — for themselves,” said Christina Mulder, the executive director of the Burlington Food Bank.

This Christmas Eve, the Burlington Food Bank served 58 households. That’s 166 individuals in total.

The work that’s done at local food banks are made possible by community member efforts, but also by distribution centres like Feed Halton in Burlington, which was established in 2023.

Their warehouse addresses a key logistical issue.

“There was a time when we would have to refuse larger corporate donations, because we just don’t have the space to take it,” said Mulder.

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“Here at Feed Halton, we have about 400 pallet locations, so we can accept multiple tractor trailer loads,” said Robin Bailey, the executive director of Feed Halton.

With its 11,000 square foot warehouse, Feed Halton is able to support food banks across multiple regions, including Burlington, Oakville, Milton and even St. Catharines.

It’s all thanks to organizations like “The Gift of Giving Back’.

“Through the hockey kids, primarily in both Burlington and Oakville, we collect food primarily in the fall — one in November and one in December, and all of that food we collect comes here to Feed Halton to be redistributed to food banks in the area,” said John Crick, the director of operations at Gift of Giving Back.

The youth-led organization procured over 135,000 pounds of donations these past two months alone. They are also expanding their food drives to include the summer months, with local youth baseball teams.

Welcome news for local food banks.

“Our lowest time of year, where we’re really trying to build more awareness around, is June, July, August — it doesn’t seem to be top of mind,” said Mulder.

Mulder says anyone that is thinking of making a donation, should “think about the things you go to the store for — is there a special treat that you get yourself? That would be really nice to have here at the food bank to offer someone shopping and make it a little bit more dignified, a little bit more normal experience for them.”

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