The Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank is calling on local residents to help meet rising community needs by filling new volunteer roles for drivers and Sunday client services.
As the organization continues to face record demand for assistance, these additions to the volunteer team are essential for keeping operations running. The food bank, which has served the community since 1990, recently reported a 22.2 percent monthly increase in client visits during 2024 compared to the previous year. This trend follows a 60 percent surge in the number of individuals seeking help between 2019 and 2023.
Those interested in becoming a driver will help with food collection and delivery, requiring a commitment of about 4.5 hours per week across two to three days on a rotating monthly schedule. Sunday client services volunteers are needed to pack and distribute food and hygiene items to families, working two Sundays each month from 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To qualify for these roles, applicants must be at least 18 years old and reside in Stouffville. The organization asks for a one-year commitment from volunteers, and a successful vulnerable sector check is required after a person is accepted into the program.
Food bank co-chair Cathy Robinson has previously noted that the ongoing affordability crisis is forcing the charity to rethink how it operates to ensure it can continue supporting neighbors in need. With nearly 80,000 households across York Region experiencing food insecurity, local organizations are adjusting their schedules and service models to manage the increasing pressure on food assistance programs across Ontario and the country.
Residents looking for more information or wishing to apply can visit the volunteer page on the food bank website.
