Stories to Share

It’s often said that food brings people together.  Shared meals encourage connection, spark conversation, and foster togetherness.  But what about those struggling to put food on the table? As a chef, Karen understands the importance of sharing a meal with friends and family.  When she packs hampers for people in need, she puts careful thought […]

How do you feed 140 men accessing a shelter thirty minutes away in the midst of a global pandemic? Sandra, the Food Services Co-ordinator, and her kitchen staff, had to ask themselves this tough question. They were accustomed to feeding 45 people at the Emergency Shelter on Charles Street. But throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the […]

Wayne joins the main Zoom call and watches students of all ages flicker to life on his screen.  He is a virtual tutor with the Sunnydale Community Centre.  The program, called Homework Club, used to take place in person, but moved online at the beginning of the pandemic.  Each student is paired up with their […]

Katy Robinson has made charitable giving a priority – and it was a lot easier than she thought it would be. The 27-year-old became inspired to give after hearing a sermon from her pastor that pointed out there is never a good time to start giving. As an engineer who works in construction in downtown […]

It’s been two months since a fire at our Shelter program took place in the Tower at the Inn of Waterloo. We’re grateful for the incredible show of support from Waterloo Region during this challenging time and want to take the time to provide a community update. Right after the Shelter fire, the program experienced […]

It took a simple conversation between neighbours to create a new program at Sunnydale Community Centre – one that is bringing the community a little bit closer. Since last summer, a group of non-Arabic speaking community members have been taking the time to learn Arabic. The best part? It’s being taught by their neighbours. The […]

For many community members, the Neighbourhood Food Program distributes more than just food. They provide connection, a sense of belonging, and lots of smiles. “One participant came up to me recently,” shares Rudi, the Neighbourhood Food Supervisor, “and told me ‘the reason we still come here is for the smiles’.” Despite the safety restrictions in […]

Mya used to find it difficult to speak up when she was in a group. A little bit shy and lacking in confidence, Mya would usually let others speak first. Not anymore. Mya, 17, isn’t afraid to take on leadership roles and community projects – thanks to the encouragement she’s received along the way. Your […]

  You played a vital role in the fight against hunger by helping struggling families and individuals across the community, since the need for food has not gone away. This year – more than ever – you demonstrated how our community is stronger together.  Thank you to all the grocery stores, volunteers, faith communities, businesses, […]

The name might be changing, but the service remains the same. The Rapid Access Addiction Clinics across Waterloo-Wellington will now be called Rapid Access Addiction Medicine Clinics (RAAM). This new name is a better reflection of the service provided by these clinics, which include medical support for individuals looking for help on their journey to […]