If you want to donate to food banks in Kingston, Ontario, below you’ll find the main food banks that operate in the city.
Partners in Mission Foodbank
Originally established in 1984, the Partners in Mission food bank came about as a result of findings which showed the lack of basic needs met by many in the city of Kingston, primarily with regards to poverty and hunger. Founded by the Hospitallers of St. Joseph, the food bank opened its doors to those in need on June 17th of 1984. An effort that saw 4 Catholic Churches cooperating to ensure there was a way to feed those most in need, the food bank grew and expanded over the years to where it is today. More and more churches were brought into the fold and awareness was raised about this important issue in Kingston, until the food bank gained status as a charity in 1998 and in 2003 moved to its present, much larger, location.
The aims of the Partners in Mission food bank are primarily to serve local families. One of the main ways they achieve this is through their food hamper program, which gives groceries to families in the area. In addition, the food bank assists local shelter programs by providing any extra provisions at their disposal, so people can enjoy a hot meal when there’s nowhere else to turn. Then, there are the non-perishables which are available year-round, with everything from canned goods like soup, to pasta, cereal and even sometimes pet food.
So how can you get involved with the Partners in Mission food bank and help the local community in Kingston? There are several ways you can help out, whether it be a monetary donation, a food donation or as a company sponsor. If you aren’t from the area, or are looking for a quick and easy way to lend a helping hand, you can donate money directly to the food bank to go towards the good work they do, or you can even donate a hamper, choosing from 3 sizes and price points. The other way you can donate is by gifting food, ideally from the selection most desired by the food bank; a list of such items can be found here. If you want to take a more hands-on approach and make a difference in person, you can apply to be a volunteer at the food bank (there is no age limit) and help put together the hampers, sort out donations and take on other key responsibilities to become part of the team.
Address:
140 Hickson Ave
Kingston, ON
K7K 2N6
Telephone number: +1 613-544-4534
Hours:
Monday-Friday 2pm-4pm (Service)
Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 12pm / 1.30pm – 4.30pm (Administration)
Friday 8.30am – 12pm / 1.30pm – 4pm (Administration)
E-mail: gethelp@kingstonfoodbank.ca
Website: http://www.kingstonfoodbank.ca/
The Salvation Army
One of the biggest, most recognisable charitable organisations, the Salvation Army has been around since the 19th century. The organisation provides shelter, food and other services to the local community under the Christian church. With as many as 1.7 million or so members across the globe, there are a wide range of services available under the name of the Salvation. At the branch in Kingston, you can expect to find everything from free hot meals at the Bread of Life club, to groceries and shelter, to the Salvation Army’s food bank, and so much more.
Let’s take a look at some of the many services on offer at the Salvation Army to see how you, or someone you know, can benefit from their support. First up, The Gathering Place is not only a shelter, and a place for homeless people to get together and enjoy the company of other people, but also a place to enjoy a nice meal. Then, there’s the Harvest Dinner, a seasonal dinner event taking place in the Fall (October 22nd), providing a hearty meal to those in need and conjuring up some community spirit and shared joy. As well as these options there is also a Community Choice Pantry, where members of the community are allowed the option of choosing their own food, as if they were at a supermarket, which helps people feel a sense of normality and dignity as they make their own decisions as to what they consume.
To get involved with the Salvation Army and the great work they do to support the local community in Kingston, you can become a volunteer and benefit from an enriching experience helping out and serving your community. There are also opportunities to provide hampers, toys or buy from one of the many kettles owned by the charity as a way of showing your support for those in need.
Address:
342 Patrick St
Kingston, ON
K7K 6R6
Telephone number: +1 613-548-4411
Hours:
Monday – Friday 9am – 4.30pm
Website: http://www.kingstonsa.ca
St. Vincent de Paul Society
First established in 1965 and today offering a variety of services to the local community, St. Vincent de Paul Society provides hot meals, shelter and other amenities to meet the basic needs of citizens in Kingston that don’t have access to them. At the head of operations, executive director Judy Fyfe took on the role 4 years ago and has over 25 years working with non-profit organisations, giving back to the community in every way possible. The main aims of the Society are to help out both families and individuals in a tactful way, to reflect their compassion for the fellow human and support the community of Kingston.
Some of the services provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society include – but are not limited to – Coffee Break (an opportunity to get together over a coffee and play board games or read the newspaper), the Loretta Hospitality & Meal Program (serving lunch to local people every day of the week), and Emergency Groceries (providing 2 day’s worth of food to any individual or family in need and available every other month).
Bearing in mind the various services made available by the Society, you can donate a chosen amount of money directly to one of the events they host. Be it the emergency food pantry, or the aforementioned hospitality program, you can donate a one-off sum or a monthly amount here. For a comprehensive list of the foods and domestic items that are most useful to donate to the Society, you can find more information here. Or, there is also a wish list available, in case you want to help the Society and the community by supplying something they would like to have. As for volunteering, there are many positions available regarding different aspects of the Society, from serving hot meals to organising and sorting goods that arrive at the pantry.
Address:
85 Stephen St
Kingston, ON
K7K 2C5
Telephone number: +1 613-766-8432
Hours:
Monday – Friday 9am – 1pm (meal/warehouse)
Monday – Friday 9.30am – 12.30pm (pantry)
E-mail: admini@svdpKingston.ca
Website: http://www.svdpkingston.com/
