A Food Bank That Feels Like a Grocery Store
On Sat. Sept. 20, we opened the doors of Clarington East Food Bank to our board, community partners, and local elected officials, including MP Jivini, Mayor Foster and Councilors Woo and Zwart as well as all current municipal candidates. We wanted to show them what a food bank can look like when it’s built around dignity.
A look behind the scenes
Our guests toured the warehouse and saw how our inventory system works. They followed the journey of our food from donation and delivery to sorting, shelving, and distribution. Seeing the volunteers and staff who keep it all moving, and the care that goes into each step, made a real impression.
A shopping model built on choice
The biggest surprise came when we showed our guests how our neighbours actually access food. There’s a common assumption that food banks hand you a pre-packed bag of whatever’s available. At CEFB, that isn’t how it works.
Our neighbours shop. They choose the items that fit their families, their tastes, their dietary needs, and their cultural preferences. We put a strong focus on healthy options.
Our shopping model lets neighbours choose their own food, just like a grocery store.
Guests were struck by the variety:
- A fresh food selection, including produce
- A range of meat options
- Baked goods
- Hygiene products
Fresh produce, meat, baked goods, and hygiene items are all available for our neighbours to choose from. Several visitors said the same thing: “It’s just like a grocery store.”
That was exactly the reaction we hoped for, because that is our goal.
Dignity, accessibility, and equity
What stayed with our guests wasn’t only the food. It was how welcoming the space felt and how committed our team is to dignity, accessibility, and equity for everyone who walks through our doors, without judgement.
Conversations with staff and volunteers helped break down common stereotypes about food banking. The visit was also a chance to break down some persistent stereotypes about food banking. Nobody should have to feel like they’re waiting for a handout. We want people to leave feeling they got a hand up.
Fueled by Community: Burgers from No Frills and the Lions Club
No open house is complete without good food, and this one was made possible by two of our most generous community partners. No Frills Newcastle, Frank, donated the hamburgers, and the Newcastle Lions Club volunteers fired up the grill and served our guests.
It was a fitting way to close out the visit. Our board, community partners, and local officials shared a meal, talked with staff and volunteers, and saw what it looks like when a community works together. Partners like No Frills and the Lions Club help us keep our shelves stocked and our doors open, and they show up when we need hands on deck.
Thank you to Brittany Moore @b.paws.photography for all the wonderful pictures!
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Thank you to No Frills for donating the burgers and to the Lions Club for serving our guests. Thank you
Thank you to our board, our volunteers, and everyone who took the time to visit and learn more about our work. A special thank you to No Frills for donating the burgers and to the Lions Club for serving our guests. We’re grateful for your support and for the conversations this event started.
Thank you to the volunteers and staff who make our work possible.
Want to see it for yourself? Email us for a tour: claringtoneastfoodbank@gmail.com
Watch for our post later this week, where we’ll talk about Hunger Action Month and how we worked to break down some of the barriers.