St Pauls on the Hill Community Food Bank

About St Pauls on the Hill Community Food Bank

Feeding Hope in Pickering and Ajax

Nestled in the heart of Pickering, St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank stands as a beacon of hope and support for low-income families in Ajax and Pickering. Founded in 1990 as an outreach initiative of St. Paul's on-the-Hill Church, it has grown into the largest food bank in Pickering, now serving over 3,000 individuals each month.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion

Our mission is simple yet profound: to alleviate hunger and provide essential food support to those in need. With the cost of living soaring and new client registrations hitting record highs, our role in the community has never been more critical. We operate solely on donations from our generous community and are powered by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Meeting the Community's Needs

At St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank, we serve low-income families who can visit us twice a month to receive assistance with their groceries. Our offerings include:

- Canned food items and non-perishables
- Fresh produce, milk, and eggs
- Baby food and diapers for families with infants
- Frozen meats, dairy, and other perishable items through partnerships with local grocery stores like Derek’s Your Independent Grocer, Sobeys Ajax, Food Basics and Metro.

The Power of Volunteers

Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our operation. On Mondays and Wednesdays they stock shelves, sort donations, and pick up grocery store orders. On Tuesdays and Fridays, they distribute food to clients and manage incoming donations. Without their unwavering dedication, our mission would be impossible to achieve. With 100 dedicated and passionate volunteers, we distributed 511,128 lbs of food in 2024, aiding 35,404 individuals.

The Growing Need: Hunger Count

Food Bank usage has significantly increased and in the summer months especially, donations are typically low posing many challenges in food distribution. Below is a breakdown showing the growth:

In 2021, 14,046 individuals assisted
In 2022, 20,688 individuals assisted
In 2023, 29,119 individuals assisted
In 2024, 35,404 individuals assisted

We are projecting to assist over 40,000 individuals by the end of 2025.

How You Can Help

Your support can make a significant difference. Here are some ways you can contribute:

- Host or contribute to a local food drive
- Collect money donations from friends and family
- Become involved with your school fundraising team
- Raise awareness in your community
- Become a volunteer

Most Needed Items

The full list of most needed items can be found on our website at www.stpaulsonthehillfoodbank.ca and include:

- Peanut Butter
- Pancake Mix and Maple Syrup
- Dry beans (specifically chickpeas, mung and red kidney beans)
- Canned tomato products (pasta sauce, tomato paste, whole tomatoes, etc.)
- Canned fruits and vegetables (corn, mushrooms, carrots, peaches, oranges, etc.)
- Canned meats (tuna, sardines, corned beef, ham, chicken, etc.)
- Juice and Kids Snacks

Get in Touch

If you wish to get involved or need assistance, please contact:

Lindsey Morrill, Food Bank Director
foodbankdirector@stpaulsonthehill.com
905-839-9537

Charitable #: 119 196 111 RR0001

1535 Pickering Parkway, Pickering, ON L1V 7E9

Mailing address: 882 Kingston Rd. Pickering, ON L1V 1A8

Website: www.stpaulsonthehillfoodbank.ca
Instagram: @stpaulsfoodbank
Facebook: facebook.com/stpaulsfoodbank

Join us in our mission to fight hunger and bring hope to those in need. Together, we can make a difference. 

Find St Pauls on the Hill Community Food Bank Here...