Our Mission
To provide nutritional food assistance to individuals and families encountering difficult financial times. We care and respect the dignity of our clients.
History
The Alliston Food Bank, founded in 1994 by Guy Belanger, started as a simple act of kindness, with fresh produce delivered straight from local gardens. The community rallied behind this initiative, evolving into the Good Shepherd Food Bank by 1995, and then becoming Alliston Food Bank in later years. Our journey, punctuated by the unwavering dedication of volunteers, highlights our mission to combat hunger. Explore our timeline to delve deeper into our history.
1992 – 1993
Guy Belanger starts operating a food bank out of his garage in Central Adjala and it becomes too busy to continue running it out of his garage.
January 31, 1994
The Good Shepherd Food Bank opens its doors at the rear of 64 Victoria Street West in Alliston with support from Zehrs (food), Beaver Lumber (lumber), Canadian Tire (light fixtures), Color your World (paint) and the Rotary Club (utilities). Free rent was supplied by Charlie’s Donuts. New Tecumseth council resolves to pay the monthly hydro and heating oil costs.
May 25, 1994
A group of individuals meet at the Sweet & Spicy Meeting Room and elect the first Board of Directors. They were: - Guy Belanger - Chair - Joan Starr – Vice Chair - Ron Gaston – Secretary - Brenda Gaston – Treasurer - Jim Davidson – Director - Margie Hague – Director - Debbie Nichol – Director - Madeline Skelton - Director
Hunger Stats/Facts
Alliston Food Bank has witnessed an unprecedented surge in demand for our services, 2022 brought a 100% increase in the number of registered families, more than a 40% increase in 2023 and we’re projecting another 32% increase this year, highlighting the growing need for assistance in our community.
Food Banks Canada 2023 Hunger Count reported 1,935,911 food bank visits across Canada, of which 642,257 were children. Ontario has seen a 100.6% increase to food bank visits between 2019 and 2023.
Closer to home, 1 in 5 people in Simcoe Muskoka are food insecure and the need for food banks is growing each and every day.
46% of our clients are a single-person household.
71% of our clients rent a home. 8% own a home. Many are homeless or staying with family or friends.
Each day people in our community have to decide between purchasing food for their family or paying rent.
Board of Directors
Alliston Food Bank is comprised of a 13-member Board of Directors. We have an Operational-Board, all of whom are volunteers and are active in one or more areas of our operation.
We are a registered charitable organizations and members of Food Banks Canada and Feed Ontario.
We are 98% volunteer run
Officers of the Board
Dave Bradbury
Janet Humphrey
Michael Vear
Paula Duff
Members of the Board
Wendy Bosley
Rupi Deol
Sarah Elines
Fatima Healy
Anne Manning
Rick Milne
Joan Starr
Sue Tolley
Susan Walker
Impact Report
Our Impact Report highlights your kindness and support and the impact it had supporting our community! Everything we do is because of supporters like you! Our reports aren’t just numbers and charts they're stories of hope and resilience that you've helped write. Take a look, and you'll see the real difference you're making in our community.
Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger. Together, we're nourishing our community and creating a brighter future for everyone.