Frequently Asked Questions - You Asked...
Do you have paid staff? Who runs the food bank?
The Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank is 100% volunteer run. Our volunteers, including operational managers and Board Directors, work without any remuneration.
Where does the donation money go? How is the donation money used?
A majority of donated money goes towards the purchase of fresh and non-perishable food from local vendors. We have limited warehouse space so we buy food each week, as needed. This drastically cuts warehousing costs, reduces spoilage and gives us an ability to source "sale" items. In addition, there are many other costs associated with the operation of a warehouse facility - rent, hydro, cleaning supplies, insurance, storage bins, etc. All these items require funding to secure and maintain. Donated funds are critical to our operation.
Why are you only open twice a week?
When we first opened our doors in 1990 we had the resources to open once per week. In 2018 we opened an additional time per week due to increasing need. In the fall of 2023 we opened 2 Sundays each month to better serve those who could not come to us on a weekday morning and we are proud to expand to every Sunday starting in July 2026.
With every expansion of client service hours we have increased our back end operations of purchasing, sorting, stocking food and maintaining our foodbank keeping it clean and safe for clients and volunteers alike.
How often can clients visit the Food Bank?
Clients can come to the Food Bank for food twice each month.
How many clients do you see in a day?
Our busiest day was 43 individual clients processed in 2.5 hours, representing 120 total individuals supported. Each person coming to the Food Bank receives food and personal health care products for everyone in their household, including children.
How many families do you support each year?
We support over 300 families each year, a number that has steadily risen since we first opened in 1990.
What is required to become a volunteer?
Working within a warehouse operation requires training, as well as a commitment to provide effort when most needed. Some jobs require lifting boxes of food too. All volunteers pass a formal background screening, have the ability to work safely in a warehouse environment, be open to taking instruction from our managers, commit to upholding standard operation procedures, and be available for at least 6 months of service during the days and times that are needed.
How do you use gift cards?
Gift cards are not given to clients. Our Managers use the gift cards to purchase food supplies from local merchants. These supplies are needed for our inventory and are distributed to our families.