The Stratford House of Blessing held its spring food drive on Saturday, March 28, 2026, to help meet the growing demand for food security in the community. Volunteers collected non-perishable food items from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at local grocery stores, including Food Basics, No Frills, and Zehrs.
The Stratford House of Blessing, a non-profit organization located at 423 Erie Street, has provided support to the community for 40 years. In 2025, the food bank served an average of 1,655 people each month, highlighting the ongoing need for local assistance.
Recent data from the Feed Ontario annual hunger report indicates that more than one million people used food banks across the province between April 2024 and March 2025, which marks an 87 per cent increase since the 2019-2020 period. Locally, the Stratford Perth Community Foundation reports that approximately one in five households in the Huron-Perth region has experienced some form of food insecurity over the past year.
The foundation remains a key supporter of these efforts, having donated over $82,000 to food security initiatives in 2025, including $35,300 specifically for programs in Stratford. Community members continue to contribute significantly to these goals; in 2025 alone, the food bank collected 18,995 pounds of food through three separate drives and provided Christmas gifts to 1,216 children.
