About us

The Richmond Hill Community Food Bank is a non-government, independently run non-profit agency, founded to provide temporary emergency food assistance to those in need. Our strength is the generous support of the people of Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Maple, corporate supporters, food drives by churches and schools, and our staff of amazing volunteers. The food bank has a strong history in the community and became a charitable organization in 1991. It is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and has one paid, part-time executive director, Lee Reynolds.

When in season, we receive fresh produce through a variety of sources: farmer’s markets, Seeds For Change , local gardeners and through Feed Ontario and From Earth to Table.

Financial contributions are used by the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank to provide the best services and deliver help to the people we assist.

Our Essential Volunteers

We have a group of faithful volunteers who sort all donated foods and stock the shelves in our client service area. Volunteers assist clients and hand out selections of fresh eggs, milk, produce, meat, bread and fresh bakery items.

They are the volunteers who work behind the scenes to ensure the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank thrives and continues to help hungry families.

Even our board of directors is made up of volunteers, lead by chair, Fergie Reynolds; vice chair, Chuck Eisen; treasurer, Judy Rosenberg; and secretary Marney Beck Robinson. Other directors include Jerry Kafieh, Vito Spatafora, Glenna Stelzer and Bruce Rhodes.

Thanks to our volunteers — we can't do it without you!

A special thank you to Brenda Ewart

Some 26 years ago, as her youngest of three children headed into Grade 1, Richmond Hill’s Brenda Ewart took a part-time job as manager of the Richmond Hill Community Food Bank.

“Our family attended Richmond Hill United Church where the food bank was located at the time, and the minister suggested I apply for the job,” explained Ewart, stating one attraction was she could be home before her children returned from school.

But what started as a job, has become a passion and has consumed far more hours each week than originally forecast, and has pulled in her husband, Bob, as well. Although she has been paid, both have donated many volunteer hours over the years to what has become a labour of love for both.

“Bob had his eyes opened and so did the kids to the need for the food bank,” explained Ewart. “And the volunteers have become my friends, my family. Some have volunteered longer than I’ve been here!” Read more.

Our Impact

Many families and individuals in the community rely on the food bank. In 2021, we were serving approximately 1,400 people every month. Just one year later, in 2022, we are serving more than 3,000 people a month.

Our statistics show that

33% of our clients are 0-18 years old,
51% of clients are between 19-59 years of age and
16% of our clients are seniors.
In 2014, 14 million visits were made to food banks in Canada, and 310,461 children were helped each month – the equivalent of 6,200 school buses.*

* Stats from foodbankscanada.ca

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