Frequently Asked Questions
About
There are a lot of misconceptions about Food Banks. These answers should clarify your thinking about them.
Do people really go hungry in this day and age?
Many people are only one pay cheque away from financial disaster; an accident, illness, job loss or other unforeseen event can overwhelm low income families.
A single person on Ontario Works, receives $733.00 a month in 2024, unchanged since 2022, according to the government website. A furnished room costs at least $900.00 a month in Ottawa in 2024.
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In Ottawa, the monthly cost of feeding a family of four increased $48 in 2024. The Nutritious Food Basket Survey by Ottawa Public Health, shows the monthly cost of healthy eating for a family of four is $1,244 in 2024, up from $1,196 in 2023 and $1,129 in 2022 (the 2022 and 2023 prices are adjusted for inflation).
Families struggling on a permanent disability or old age pension or managing unexpected expenses often find they do not have enough food to last a month.
I thought the Ottawa Food Bank was run by the City. What DOEs the Heron Emergency Food Centre DO?
The Ottawa Food Bank (OFB) operates independently and acts as the central distributor of food to 141 agencies/food programs in the Ottawa area, including our food centre. They are funded by donations and grants.
HEFC is a food bank, covering a specific geographic area in southeast Ottawa. Through our contract with OFB, we are required to only serve people in our catchment area.
HEFC is a separate, not-for-profit charitable organization with its own Board of Directors and budget. We receive some food in bulk from the OFB, but must also purchase supplemental supplies to ensure that those in need receive sufficient, nutritious food. These purchases are funded by donations.
HEFC provides food to those in need, once per month, with amounts determined by the size of family and the amount of food we have.
I want my donation to go directly to those who need it.
How much of the budget goes for administration?
About 5% of our funding goes towards administrative costs.
The city provides us with a rent-free space and a monetary grant which meets our administrative costs. ​Volunteers help run the Centre effectively, on a daily basis.
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All community donations are used to purchase food. Every dollar donated is used to purchase food over and above what we receive from the Ottawa Food Bank, often including fresh vegetables and fruit, or special dietary food needs.
The local south Ottawa community, notably the community churches, contribute both food and cash to ensure that our supplies of food can meet the need.
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Donations also help us to cover urgent, unforeseen costs which may arise due to equipment breakdown, power outages, refrigeration, insufficient storage capacity, etc.