Ontario Pork and Kitchener Rangers want to score big for local food banks

Ontario Pork (OP), Feed Ontario, and the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers are partnering with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region to provide a much-needed boost in food and financial donations during the Feb. 13 Rangers versus Guelph Storm game.

The game falls on Canada’s Agriculture Day, providing Ontario Pork producers an opportunity to give back to the community and highlight how food insecurity isn’t just an urban challenge.

“Food is a basic human right, and everyone should have access to fresh, nutritious food no matter where you live,” said Kim Wilhelm, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region (FBWR).

“It’s the day before Valentine’s Day,” said Tyler Calver, OP spokesperson. “What better way to show someone in your community you love them than by attending the Rangers game and bringing the non-perishable food item or making a donation to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.”

FBWR services agencies that assist food insecure individuals within the Kitchener-Waterloo boundary along with North Dumfries and Wilmot Township, with a 45 per cent increase in clients in 2022.

“We actually had a 113 per cent increase year over year (from 2022), specifically with new households,” Wilhelm explained. “In Waterloo Region, one in 10 households is experiencing food insecurity. Three years ago, that number was one in 20.”

In 2023, the agency distributed 6.8 million pounds of food, approximately 567,000 pounds a month. 2024’s need will require a staggering 800,000 to 1 million pounds of food monthly and, despite events like Ontario Pork’s Ranger game food drive, donations can’t keep up with demand, explained Wilhelm.

She said the Ranger-Storm game provides an opportunity to educate a diverse demographic about food insecurity, the role of food banks, and how impactful a food or cash donation can be.

“For every $1 you donate, we’re able to provide two meals in our community,” Wilhelm explained, adding rice, non-perishable pull tab can products, and granola bars top the “need” list. High-in-protein items like peanut butter, canned meat, or fish and beans are a coveted luxury addition to client’s baskets.

“Everyone accessing food assistance deserves dignity,” Wilhelm said.

In December, Ranger hockey fans raised $3,668 and 1575 pounds of food, but Calver is confident a capacity crowd on Feb. 13 could smash that record. Additionally, proceeds from game-day sales of Ontario Pork’s The Whole Hog Cookbook will go to Feed Ontario, which supports member food banks across the province, including Waterloo.

Feed Ontario’s 26-year-partnership with OP has provided an estimated 1.1 million servings of pork to food banks across the province, said Calver, adding they’re “proud of our industry partners and our producers who also participate in this program that’s delivering meals to so many people across the province.”

Stephanie Ashton-Smith, Feed Ontario’s director of development and partnerships, said 2023 saw approximately 800,000 people accessing food banks provincially, up from 587,000.

“It’s the single largest increase we’ve ever seen year-over-year,” said Ashton-Smith. “It’s not just affecting urban centres – it’s affecting all sizes of food banks and all sizes of communities across the province.”

On a local level, she said that food banks are at capacity limits serving their community, which is why Feed Ontario provides food, staff training, and capacity and efficiency building infrastructure like fridges and freezers.

Calver hopes to see other commodities at the game and hopes they consider local team partnerships in addition to ongoing efforts to alleviate food insecurity.

“We want to build awareness,” Calver said. “This food drive comes at a crucial, critical time when inventory levels are a bit on the lower scale after an increased demand for assistance during the holiday season.”