First responders and community members in Waterloo are teaming up on May 12, 2026, to help combat rising local food insecurity through the fourth annual Phil A Truck event. From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., residents can drop off non-perishable food items or cash donations at any of the six Sobeys locations across Kitchener and Waterloo.
The event is a joint effort between Waterloo Fire Rescue, the Kitchener Fire Department, Waterloo Regional Police, and Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, alongside Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. The donations collected will support The Food Bank of Waterloo Region during their Spring Food & Fund Drive, which has an overall goal of collecting 120,000 meals by June 20, 2026.
The need for support is currently at record levels, with approximately 73,000 people in the region now relying on food assistance programs. This figure represents about one in nine households, a significant increase from one in 20 households in 2021. Between July 2024 and June 2025, the local food bank distributed 9.6 million pounds of food to 61 partner organizations.
Every dollar donated during the Phil A Truck event provides two meals for residents in need. The initiative is part of the broader First Responders to Food Bank 365 program, which has helped provide nearly 200,000 meals to the community since it began in 2015. Through this program, residents can also drop off donations at fire, police, and paramedic stations throughout the year.
