BEYOND FOOD
Helping people in need, goes well beyond the scope of food.
While food banks exist to offer vital assistance to individuals and families experiencing financial hardships, food isn’t the only thing they provide. Many also serve as vital community hubs where people can connect to services and supports they might not normally have access to.
Food alone won’t solve hunger
Which is why Food Banks Canada is working with the network to address the underlying issues that send people to food banks in the first place.
Research suggests that better outcomes can be achieved for people experiencing food insecurity when food banks are integrated with community resource centres.1 That’s why community leaders and volunteers across the network of food banks are committed to providing clients with access to wrap-around support services, such as program referrals and tax clinics.
PROMOTING FOOD SECURITY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT READINESS
Through easily accessible employment, education and community supports, the ultimate goal of the Beyond Food program is to reduce food insecurity in the community by providing clients with the means to afford their own food.
“Personally, I had to rebrand myself by re-skilling to match the job market requirements. I was able to attain the objective and managed to secure employment in the construction industry. Thank you to everyone at Beyond Food!”
– Joseph, a Beyond Food program client who updated his resume, practiced interview questions, and obtained a safety ticket
EXPANDING FREE TAX FILING TO FIGHT INEQUALITY
To help more individuals living with low incomes file their tax returns and access the benefits that they deserve, Food Banks Canada is collaborating with the network of food banks as well as our corporate sponsor, KPMG Canada, to offer free tax return clinics through the National Tax Clinic program.
As food bank use increases to historic levels, the 2023 tax-filing season is an important opportunity for people living on low incomes to tap into a wide range of federal and provincial benefits, such as GST/HST credits and disability supports. For the fifth consecutive year, KPMG in Canada, along with food banks and volunteers across the country, are making it easier for people to file their tax returns through our National Tax Clinic program.
With the support of the Burnaby Neighbourhood House, Centre de bénévolat & moisson Laval, Food Banks Mississauga, Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, UHC – Hub of Opportunities, and Sources Community Resource Centres, these clinics will help people process their tax returns and access government benefits that add much-needed income to help them put food on the table. For the 2022 tax year, these clinics helped people access more than $37 million in government benefits.
“Our KPMG office location in Windsor has been a supporter of the UHC – Hub of Opportunities for many years, and our staff at KPMG are always looking for ways to support our local community. I am really happy that in 2024 we are adding an in-person clinic to the program in Windsor, which will increase the amount of returns we are able to assist with. It truly is a team effort!”
— Melissa Munger, KPMG Office Manager, Windsor, Ont.
INTEGRATED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES BRIDGE THE GAP TO INDEPENDENCE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY
“We firmly believe that food security is the catalyst that brings people to the agency, and we are pleased to be able to provide them with the integrated supports and services that will help them bridge the gap to independence and self sufficiency.”
– Betty-Lou Souter, CEO Community Care of St. Catherines & Thorold
The programs they offer include:
Food Security
- Food Bank, Clothing and Household goods – once registered clients may access all of these items they may need.
- Savoury Samples – tasting samples are offered to clients along with bagged ingredients and recipes to take home.
- Community Gardens- 30 plots located throughout St.Catharines
- Niagara Nutrition Partners – coordinated student nutrition programs at elementary and secondary schools
Housing Security
- Housing Supports – Assist those who are homeless, at risk of being homeless, receiving government assistance, underemployed, facing eviction, leaving institution, or in need of community support
- Trusteeship Program – money management and direct distribution of support funds.
- Ontario Electricity Support Program
Medical Programs
- Brushed Aside – dentures, fillings, extractions etc.
- Senior Health and Well Being Fund – assisting seniors with glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions etc.
- Gift of Sight – help with eye exams and glasses
Other Programs
- ID Clinic – assists clients with applications for new or replacement ID applications
- Income Tax Clinics
Client quote:
“Community Care went beyond what would be required to ensure that I had proper housing first and foremost…and nurtured me back to a place where I once again am beginning to feel as if I belong to this community.”
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN GO BEYOND FOOD IN YOUR COMMUNITY.