While many families eagerly anticipate summer break, thousands across Waterloo Region face a hidden crisis: children losing access to school-based nutrition programs that provide essential daily meals. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region has responded with its annual Summer Child Hunger Waterloo campaign, a critical initiative addressing the significant spike in childhood food insecurity during summer months.
“When schools close their doors for summer, they also close access to breakfast programs, lunch initiatives, and snack services that many children rely on,” explains Kim Wilhelm, chief development officer at The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “For families already struggling with rising living costs, these additional 10 weeks create an immense financial burden.”
The campaign, which runs until August 31, aims to collect both monetary donations and non-perishable food items. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 5 million pounds of fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food through its network of more than 100 community programs and agency partners.
What many residents may not realize is the scale of childhood hunger in our community. Statistics show one in five children in Waterloo Region experiences food insecurity, with summer exacerbating this vulnerability when structured school feeding programs disappear. The Food Bank currently serves approximately 34,700 people monthly, with over a third being children.
The campaign offers multiple ways for community members to contribute. Financial donations provide particular flexibility, allowing the organization to purchase fresh produce, milk, eggs, and other nutritious perishables that children need for healthy development. Every dollar donated enables the distribution of three meals, maximizing community impact.
“Summer should be a time of joy and exploration for children, not worry about where their next meal will come from,” Wilhelm notes. “Our goal is ensuring no child goes hungry while school is out.”
Local businesses are stepping up as well. Zehrs and other grocery partners have placed donation bins in stores for non-perishable food contributions, while companies like Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada have organized employee food drives. Community involvement ranges from neighborhood collection events to individual donations through the Food Bank’s website.
Most-needed items include peanut butter, canned proteins like tuna and beans, pasta, rice, and shelf-stable milk—foods that provide essential nutrients while being easy for families to prepare. These staples help bridge the nutrition gap for children who might otherwise miss meals during summer break.
The campaign illuminates a troubling paradox in our affluent region. While Waterloo thrives as a technology hub with growing prosperity, thousands of children still lack reliable access to nutritious food. This disparity raises important questions about economic inequality and the effectiveness of our social safety nets.
As our community confronts these challenging economic times, with inflation stretching family budgets beyond breaking points, the Summer Child Hunger Waterloo campaign represents more than charity—it embodies our collective responsibility to protect our most vulnerable residents.
As temperatures rise across the region this summer, can we ensure no child experiences the pain of an empty stomach simply because school is out?