Oakville food bank moves to larger location amid growing demand

An Oakville food bank has moved to a bigger location — after it says its previous home was not sufficient to meet its growing list of clients.

It’s Easter Monday but the work does not stop for the volunteers at Fare Share Food Bank in Oakville.

In fact, they have much to do after moving to a bigger home just three weeks ago.

“We couldn’t service the clients efficiently in our old location. We were running into each other all the time,” said Stephen Rowe, president of Fare Share Food Bank Oakville.

The food bank saw a big spike in visits during the pandemic.

In 2021 it was averaging close to 500 families a month. Last year, that number surpassed 800, with the record high set in December — with over 900 families served.

By then, the food bank was running beyond its capacity.

“You couldn’t have that many people. And the same thing with students coming in to sort. We had to limit them to 15 at a time because we just couldn’t hold them. And the worst part, of course, was that we got so big that we couldn’t bring in the clients,” said volunteer Jennifer Russell.

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At the previous location, Fare Share clients had to wait outside, which meant they had to brave inclement weather. But now with the new space, they’re able to wait indoors, seated.

“That’s the thing that clients like the most, is the fact we’re now indoors and they don’t have to get cold. And they don’t have to get wet,” said Rowe.

But with Easter in the rearview mirror, Fare Share has over six months to go until the next big food drive season — Halloween.

“That’s the longest gap we have. As you see, the warehouse is pretty much full now. But there won’t be a lot left by the time we get around to the end of the year,” said Rowe.

And yet another challenge – the inevitable pressures of inflation dampening the spirit of giving.

“People who were going in there and buying, say, ten bags of groceries and giving one to the food bank, those ten bags of groceries are now for them,” said Rowe.

Russell, a volunteer of 12 years, says the organization will continue to grow into its new 18-foot ceiling.

“I think that it will be a different organization five years from now. But it’s a different organization than it was five years ago. We used to have 50 clients come in in a day. Now we have 120 and we can still manage to get them all shopped and served,” said Russell.

Fare Share Food Bank is open to its clients on Mondays and Thursdays, and delivers to clients who can’t make it to the warehouse on Tuesdays and Fridays.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton’s Good Shepherd Centre provides over 600 free Easter dinners