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COVID-19 Response Fund

“When COVID hit, I think many people realized that it could be them lining up at a food bank.” Bernadette Siracky,  Kamloops Food Bank

13
provinces and territories
4,751
Communities
34,274,242
Lbs of Food
$97,988,180
Financial Support
“Food Banks Canada fortunately had some grant opportunities, which we were able to access quite quickly.” Dianne MacDonnell, Hope Food Bank

 

Canadians came together to help food banks overcome the unique challenges of the pandemic and to help us continue to serve our neighbours who needed a little help. Whether seeking assistance because they lost a job, were caring for a family member, living on limited income or working but just couldn’t make ends meet, our country helped us serve clients in hard circumstances.

 

Providing food to those in need can be difficult at the best of times. With COVID-19, that task just got a whole lot harder. Food Banks Canada’s COVID-19 Response Fund was established to support the more than 3,000 community organizations across Canada who help food insecure Canadians recover from the unique and ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

 

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians, small and large businesses, private and family foundations and the government provided essential support to ensure that food banks could continue their work and overcome challenges such as reduced volunteers. Donations also supported adjustments to operations to keep staff, volunteers and clients safe while dealing with ongoing supply chain interruptions.

 

Volunteer shares beef donation packs from the commodity program. Volunteer shares beef donation packs from the commodity program. Drive or walk-through community food bank. Drive or walk-through community food bank. Food banks that once allowed clients to “shop” for their preferred items had to switch to, pre-packed hampers to reduce exposure. Food banks that once allowed clients to “shop” for their preferred items had to switch to, pre-packed hampers to reduce exposure. Intake of new clients was once a face-to-face interaction allowing food bankers to better connect with clients. This pivoted to over-the-phone conversations. Intake of new clients was once a face-to-face interaction allowing food bankers to better connect with clients. This pivoted to over-the-phone conversations. Many food banks rely on volunteers, who are often seniors. Especially early in the pandemic, seniors were instructed to stay home for their own safety. Many food banks rely on volunteers, who are often seniors. Especially early in the pandemic, seniors were instructed to stay home for their own safety. Food banks had to quickly adjust—providing PPE, new safety guidelines and new processes to deliver food safely to keep their doors open. Food banks had to quickly adjust—providing PPE, new safety guidelines and new processes to deliver food safely to keep their doors open. Food banks had new, unplanned expenses, such as PPE. Food banks had new, unplanned expenses, such as PPE. Many food banks shifted to drive-through delivery. Many food banks shifted to drive-through delivery.

Programs

Select a program to reveal the impact of the programs, provincially.
Pre-packed Emergency Hampers
Dairy Partnership Program
Commodity Food Partnerships
The For Good Foundation Partnership
Donations & Investments

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Map of Canada

Donors

Hundreds of thousands of individuals as well as government, business and foundation partners who gave in support.

Stories

Edmonton, AB

"COVID-19 has brought a whole new set of financial challenges to so many people in this city. During the holidays, those challenges tend to be compounded—particularly for families."

April 1, 2021

British Columbia

"Right now so many people are struggling due to the pandemic—some more than others. In fact, we’ve had a significant number of new faces show up at our doors, which is a difficult thing to see. "

March 31, 2021

Northwest Territories

"Children need that interaction with their friends. However, when it became evident after 7 months of lockdowns and social distancing that there wasn’t going to be a Halloween."

March 31, 2021

British Columbia

"When COVID hit, I think many people realized that it could be them lining up at a food bank"

March 31, 2021

Regina, SK

"Empty grocery store shelves at the onset of the pandemic meant people suddenly couldn’t access certain foods they needed, or wanted"

March 31, 2021
Find out how food banks across Canada adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, and our vision for reducing food insecurity and food bank use throughout our collective recovery.