The Brockville & Area Food Bank and United Way Leeds & Grenville marked a milestone of continued partnership this March 2026, working together to support local residents as food insecurity reaches record levels. The two organizations have strengthened their collaboration as more households face rising costs, providing essential access to food programs and services across the community.
The recent focus on regional cooperation comes at a time when the need for food assistance is at an all-time high. In June 2025, Brockville City Council voted unanimously to declare food insecurity an emergency. During that year, 749 new families signed up for food bank services, and roughly one in 24 area residents now depend on the organization to help put meals on the table.
The United Way Leeds & Grenville has been serving the region since 1957 and recently reported that its latest fundraising campaign surpassed its $900,000 goal. These funds help support 16 different member agencies that serve over 40 communities. Part of this work includes a partnership with Girls Inc. to provide monthly food baskets to families who are struggling to meet their children’s basic needs.
The food bank first opened 40 years ago, in 1985, under the name Operation Harvest Sharing and now serves people in Brockville, Lyn, Mallorytown, and North Augusta. Visits to the food bank increased by 10 percent between 2023 and 2024, reaching a total of 21,537 visits in a single year. As of March 2026, the facility sees approximately 2,600 visitors every month.
The cost of providing these services has also grown, with the food bank spending $440,000 on food purchases alone in 2024. United Way officials confirmed that the ongoing collaboration has made a measurable impact on the lives of individuals throughout the region. This partnership ensures that residents continue to have a reliable place to turn for help during the current food emergency.
