New lockers make it easier to people to access emergency food hampers in Kitchener
6 refrigerated lockers in Kitchener community centre offer evening pick up service
The Food Bank of Waterloo Region has launched a new evening pickup service that aims to address access issues to emergency food hampers outside business hours.
Six refrigerated lockers have been installed at a Kitchener, Ont., community centre with extended hours, allowing residents to access food later in the day.
One side of the unit is refrigerated to hold fresh and frozen items, while the other side is equipped with 15 storage units for non-perishable foods.
"We recognize that more and more, people are working during traditional food delivery windows and we wanted to provide another option," Kim Wilhelm, CEO of Waterloo Region's food bank, told CBC News.
The lockers were bought through Food Banks of Canada from the 2023 capacity building grant. Waterloo region's food bank received $23,000 for the purchase.
"Our hope is to be able to evaluate them over the next number of months," added Wilhelm.
"My goal would be to have one in every city and every township in Waterloo region."
The address for the specific community centre where the lockers are located is not being published because officials say the program is not staffed and people need to contact the food bank directly.
"Community centres are a hub for all things. Programs happen here, different services such as outreach, as well as public access to computers," said Kitchener community centre facilitator Catherine Sauder.
"It was a nice collaboration and cohesion of services to be able to extend the things that are offered at community centres to bring people together. They might be coming in to access food, but they're leaving with something else, maybe a program or a new resume."
How the program works
Anyone needing emergency food assistance is being asked to initially contact the food bank directly.
Once assessed if there are programs accessible to them during the day, the individual will be asked to provide an email address and basic demographic information.
"We will schedule a time for them to come do the pickup," said Julie Hornick-Martyk, the food assistance co-ordinator with the Food Bank of Waterloo Region.
"After the hamper has been dropped off, the recipient will receive an email from Luxor One, who is managing the locker system, with a code."
After receiving the code, the person should enter it into the touch screen on the lockers and one will pop open with the food inside.
Following the service, participants are being asked to complete a quick survey about their experience accessing the food.
"I've been getting 5/5 stars, which is amazing," said Hornick-Martyk. "People are saying they wouldn't have had any other options otherwise so this has been a saving grace for them."
Demand on the rise
With the holiday season quickly approaching, Wilhelm said she's seen an unprecedented number of people accessing emergency food programs.
"In October, we once again hit a record-breaking number," she said. "Last year as a network, 73,000 individuals accessed food programs over 550,000 times."
Wilhelm added that employed individuals have even been needing a little extra help this year.
"Our wages are not keeping up with the cost of living. That's why something like this is so beneficial."
According to Hornick-Martyk, 11 per cent of employed individuals were accessing programs through the Community Food Assistance Network.
"We imagine with the cost of living, with increased expenses like Christmas gifts or turkeys, there may be an additional need and we want to be able to reach those who aren't able to access service currently," Hornick-Martyk said.
Throughout the month of December, Make The Season Kind is a CBC campaign that raises food and funds for local food banks.
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