2013/2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Working towards a hunger-free Ontario

22

WHO WE ARE Every day, the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB) works diligently towards alleviating hunger in our communities. We are dedicated to supporting the needs of our members and the clients they serve.

The OAFB is the provincial representative of food banks in Ontario, and is comprised of a network of over 120 food banks that support more than 1,100 hunger relief programs and agencies. These programs include children’s breakfast and snack programs, emergency shelters, seniors’ centres and emergency food relief. Together we serve over 375,000 individuals, including 131,000 children, every month.

For more than 20 years, the OAFB has been committed to reducing hunger in Ontario through sustainable solutions that ensure the long-term health of men, women and children across the province.

Our mission is to nurture communities by providing resources and support to reduce hunger.

A FUTURE OF HOPEWhile food prices increase, and low wages and unemployment continue to be an issue across Ontario, food banks are being pushed further than ever for their services. More and more neighbours in our communities are turning to food banks to feed their families. It would be easy to feel despondent in such times.

Thankfully, the Ontario Association of Food Banks is working hard to address these issues. We are continuing to build important relationships with Ontario’s agricultural producers, allowing us to source more nutritious food for our member food banks, and after years of working with the Government of Ontario, we successfully obtained passage of new legislation which will introduce a tax credit for farmers who donate produce to food banks. In this report you can read all about our vital partnerships, and how we are working hard to make your dollars go further.

Despite the ongoing issues surrounding poverty and hunger in our province, we continue to look towards a future of hope. We will continue to innovate and implement new strategies and programs to ensure that we can provide the best possible resources and services for our member food banks across Ontario so that they can better help those who need it most.

Our achievements are only made possible by the efforts of our Board members, partners, donors, member food banks, volunteers and staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who enable us to continue working towards our vision of a hunger-free Ontario, and we look forward to continuing to work with all of you given the important role that you play.

3

“ We will continue to innovate and implement new strategies and programs to ensure that we can provide the best possible resources and services to our member food banks across Ontario.”

Basil Alexander, Chair

HUNGER IN 2013It’s hard to think that in this modern age there are still hundreds of thousands of people in our province living in poverty.

Hunger does not discriminate. Food bank clients include university students, graduates, senior citizens, full and part-time workers, single parent households, and individuals with disabilities. Children under 18 years of age are the largest group of food bank users in Ontario.

In March 2013, food banks in Ontario served 1,206,137 meals to thousands of hungry individuals and families. Behind each of these meals is a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. In fact, 40% of Ontario’s food banks are run exclusively by volunteers.

375,789

Number of children across the province who access Ontario’s food banks each month 131,734

Number of people across the province who accessed Ontario’s food banks in March 2013

4

FOCUS ON OUR MEMBERSOver the past year, the OAFB has been working diligently to ensure that we serve our member food banks effectively to help achieve our goal of ending hunger in Ontario. Some of our supporters may not know that as well as sourcing and distributing food to our members, we provide many other services! These include:

• Employee Assistance Program• Home and auto insurance• Premises insurance• Directors and Officers insurance• Discounted truck rentals• Discounted stationery and office supplies

• An annual conference and other training opportunities

• Grant programs• HR services• Fundraising and communications

advice and support

5

In last year’s Annual Report, we wrote about the implementation of a new database, Link2Feed. The implementation of this software began in the fall of 2013, with the goal of full implementation throughout the OAFB membership by January 2015. The Link2Feed program will allow food banks to better serve their clients through a more streamlined intake process.

We are pleased to report that the implementation is progressing well, and our members are already seeing the benefits. It gives our members and, in turn the OAFB, a clearer picture of hunger in Ontario, and increases our ability to effectively serve our members and advocate on behalf of their clients for long-term solutions to food security. Once complete, the OAFB will be the first multi-level food bank organization to successfully implement the Link2Feed system in the world.

“ The data gathered through Link2Feed shows that up to 20% of our clients desperately need more help and we do not currently have the resources to provide any more.” – OAFB Member

6

MAKING PROGRESS THROUGH OUR PROGRAMSOur challenge is not only to ensure that our member food banks receive enough food to fill their shelves, but to source nutritious healthy items such as fresh fruit, vegetables and protein.

We know that children benefiting from a healthy diet have better focus in school, and adults are more productive in their daily work. A balanced, vitamin-rich diet not only promotes better health, it can also lead the way to a successful future.

Last year, we reported on the continuing success of the Ontario Milk program, and launch of the new Ontario Pork program; two essential programs made possible by partnering with the Ontario Dairy Industry and Ontario Pork. Since then, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Turkey Farmers of Ontario and the Egg Farmers of Ontario have all made commitments to improve the lives of Ontarians in need. Thanks to these programs, we will be able to increase the amount of healthy protein available at our member food banks.

“ Thanks to our producer partners who have made a huge impact on the food provided to our members.” – OAFB Member

We have also received support from Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. Following the success of our current programs, our aim is to establish programs with every major producer group in Ontario.

As well as these fantastic initiatives, we have also expanded our Bulk Buy program this year. Our most recent partnership with Loblaw Wholesale enables us to obtain key products such as peanut butter, tuna and cereals for our members at a lower cost.

7

In 2013, the Ontario government made history by becoming the first province in Canada to provide a tax credit for farmers who donate agricultural product to local food banks. For the past three years, the OAFB has worked alongside MPP Bob Bailey (Sarnia – Lambton) to gain support for this initiative.

Once the regulation is in effect, those who are eligible will be able to claim the credit for qualifying donations made on or after January 1, 2014. The details of these regulations are still being finalized, but once in place, this will be a great incentive for farmers to donate food, and will help us to continue to increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables provided to our members.

144,000 dozen eggs delivered to our members this year by

Egg Farmers of Ontario

33,500 servings of lean, ground turkey to be delivered

to our food banks this year funded by Turkey Farmers of Ontario

30,100 servings of pork provided to our

members this year funded by Ontario Pork

1,000,000 litres of fresh milk donated yearly by Dairy

Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Dairy Council & Ontario Milk Transport Association

YOUR DOLLARS AT WORK97% of our funding goes directly to our food programs and member services. For every dollar donated to us, we can acquire and distribute eight dollars worth of food!

For every dollar donated, 88 cents are spent directly on food and distribution. Only three cents are spent on administration, and the remaining nine cents are used for our member programs and services.

We do not receive any government funding and therefore rely entirely on the support of our individual donors, foundations and corporate partners – like you!

To make a donation, call 416-656-4100 or visit our website at www.oafb.ca.

The OAFB directs more than 97% of its funding to food programs and member services

For every dollar raised, we can acquire and distribute over 8 dollars worth of food

97%

1:8

8

9

REVENUE 2013/14

$20,199,759 (2012/13: $21,490,383)

Food and Gifts in Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,579,516

Food Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $980,924

Food Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $816,587

Donations and Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $673,822

Conference Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $81,988

Membership Dues & Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . $45,119

Interest and other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,803

EXPENDITURES 2013/14

$20,172,854 (2012/13: $21,482,637)

Food & Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,732,708

Member Services & Programs . . . . . . . . . . $1,883,451

Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $556,695

This financial summary is extracted from our 2013-14 Financial Statements. These statements can be viewed on our website at www.oafb.ca

“The OAFB staff are doing a great job, it’s just like having extra staff!” – OAFB Member

Acton Acton FoodshareAilsa Craig Ailsa Craig & Area Food BankAlexandria St. Vincent-de-Paul Food BankAlliston The Good Shepherd Food BankBancroft North Hastings Community CupboardBarrie Barrie Food BankBeamsville Community Care of West NiagaraBelleville Gleaners Food BankBelleville Quinte Region Food Share Shelter - GleanersBlenheim The Salvation Army (Blenheim)Blind River Blind River Emergency Food Bank Inc.Bobcaygeon Bobcaygeon Food BankBolton Caledon Community ServicesBonfield Bonfield Family Life CentreBracebridge Bracebridge Manna Food BankBrampton The Salvation Army Brampton Food BankBrantford Community Resource ServiceBrockville Operation Harvest SharingBurk’s Falls Burk’s Falls & District Food BankBurlington Partnership West Family Support NetworkCaledonia Caledonia & District Food BankCambridge Cambridge Self-Help Food BankCampbellford Campbellford Warkworth Fare Share Food BankCardiff Cardiff Community Food BankCarleton Place Lanark County Food BankCayuga Cayuga Food Bank

Chatham Chatham Outreach for HungerCobalt Colbalt, Coleman, Latchford & Area Food BankCobourg Northumberland Fare Share Food BankCobourg Food 4 All NorthumberlandCochrane Cochrane Food Bank Inc.Collingwood The Salvation Army Food BankCornwall Centre Agape CentreDunnville Salvation Army Dunnville, Community & Family ServicesEganville Eganville & District Community Food BankElliot Lake Elliot Lake Emergency Food Bank Inc.Erin East Wellington Community ServicesFergus Centre Wellington Food BankFonthill Pelham Cares IncFort Erie The Salvation Army Fort ErieGananoque Gananoque & District Food BankGeorgetown Georgetown Bread BasketGoderich St. Vincent de PaulGrimsby Grimsby Benevolent Fund Food BankGuelph Guelph Food BankHanover The Salvation ArmyHastings Hastings & Roseneath Ministerial Food BankHavelock Havelock & Community Food BankHawkesbury Hawkesbury Food BankIngersoll The Salvation Army IngersollKanata Kanata Food CupboardKingston Partners in Mission Food Bank

MORE THAN A FOOD BANKThe theme of the OAFB Annual Conference 2014 was ‘More than a Food Bank’. Since their inception in the 1980’s, food banks have evolved into social hubs, where the community relies on them for more than providing emergency food support. Today, food banks offer a wide variety of services, including resumé workshops, training opportunities, cooking classes, payment assistance, and even financial planning.

The OAFB Annual Conference was an opportunity for our members to attend workshops, motivational talks and to network with each other and share ideas about how to improve food bank services for people in need. We would like to thank all of our generous supporters who sponsored this year’s event. We hope to see you all next year!

10

OAFB MEMBERSHIP

11

Kitchener The Food Bank of Waterloo RegionLanark Lanark Highlands Food PantryLindsay Kawartha Lakes Food SourceListowel The Salvation Army Community & Family ServicesLondon London Food BankL’Orignal Banque Alimentaire de L’OrignalMattawa Mattawa and Area Food BankMeaford Golden Town OutreachMidland The Salvation Army - MidlandMindemoya Manitoulin Family ResourcesMinden Minden Food BankMississauga The Mississauga Food BankMount Forest Community PantryMountain House of LazarusNanticoke Jarvis Caring CupboardNew Liskeard The Salvation ArmyNewcastle Clarington East Food BankNiagara Falls Project S.H.A.R.ENorth Bay North Bay Food BankNorth York North York Harvest Food BankNorwich The Salvation Army Family Services & Food BankNorwood Asphodel Norwood Ministerial Food BankOrangeville Orangeville Food BankOrillia The Sharing PlaceOshawa Feed the Need in DurhamOttawa Ottawa Food BankOwen Sound The Salvation Army Community & Family Services

Palmer Rapids Madawaska Valley Food BankPalmerston Palmerston Food BankParis The Salvation Army - Brantford & Paris Parry Sound Harvest Share Community Food BankPerth The Good Food BankPeter Word of Life OutreachPeterborough Kawartha Food SharePort Colborne Port Cares Reach Out Food CentrePort Dover Port Dover & Area Life Line Food BankPort Elgin Salvation Army Community & Family ServicesPowassan Powassan & District Food BankPrescott Food For All Food BankRichmond Hill LifeCorps Food ShareRidgetown Ridgetown Salvation Army Family ServicesSarnia Inn of the Good ShepherdSault Ste Marie The Salvation Army Community & Family ServicesSharbot Lake North Frontenac Food BankSimcoe Simcoe Caring CupboardSmiths Falls Smiths Falls Community Food BankSmithville West Lincoln Community CareSouth River Good Happenings Food BankSt. Catharines Community Care St. Catharines & ThoroldSt. Thomas The Caring Cupboard

Stirling Stirling and Area Christian Community CareStoney Creek Hamilton Food ShareStratford Stratford House of BlessingSudbury Banque D’Aliments Sudbury Food BankSunderland Brock Community Food BankSydenham Southern Frontenac Community ServicesThunder Bay Regional Food Distribution AssociationTillsonburg Helping Hand Food BankToronto Daily Bread Food BankTrenton Trenton Care and Share Food BankUxbridge Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes Food BankWalkerton Walkerton Salvation Army

Wallaceburg Wallaceburg Salvation Army Family ServicesWarkworth 7 Hills Community PantryWasaga Beach Wasaga Beach Ministerial Food BankWaterdown Food with Grace - Waterdown Food BankWelland The Hope CentreWiarton The Salvation ArmyWinchester Dundas County Food BankWindsor Windsor & Essex County Food Bank AssociationWingham North Huron Community FoodshareWoodstock The Salvation Army Emergency Housing Community & Family ServicesZurich Blessings Community Store & Food Bank

THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPSWe would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the incredible corporations, foundations and individuals who generously donate time, transport, food and funding to the Ontario Association of Food Banks. Through their support, we are able to provide vital food support to over 375,000 Ontarians every single month. We would like to recognize and thank the following organizations who are making an incredible difference to hunger relief in Ontario.

Ontario Association of Food Banks555 Richmond Street WestSuite 501, PO Box 1108Toronto, ON M5V 3B1

t: 416.656.4100 f: 416.656.4104twitter: @oafb www.oafb.ca

Charitable registration number: 885260968RR0001

Aqueduct FoundationBeef Farmers of Ontario Berry Bush FarmsCAA South Central OntarioCargill LimitedCAW - TCA CanadaChallenger Motor Freight Chicken Farmers of OntarioClockwork MarketingDairy Farmers of OntarioEgg Farmers of OntarioElanco Inc.

Elementary Teachers’ Federation of OntarioEli Lilly Canada Inc.Erb Transport Ernald Enterprises Ltd.F.K. Morrow FoundationFarm Credit CanadaFlat Rock Cellars Ltd.Food Banks CanadaGoodyearHarland Veinotte TransportHybrid TurkeysInnivity Marketing

Ipsos Operations CanadaJ.P. Bickell FoundationJohnson Inc.Kriska TransportationLululemon AthleticaMaple Leaf Foods Inc.McCarthy Tetrault FoundationMcGill TransportationMetro Ontario Inc.Meyers TransportMinor Brothers Farm Supply LimitedMonsanto Canada Inc

Morneau ShepellNutreco Canada Inc.Onex CorporationOntario Dairy Council Ontario Dairy Goat Co-Operative Inc.Ontario Milk Transport Association Ontario Pork Panera BreadParrish & Heimbecker, LimitedPeople’s CorpPfizer Animal Health Canada Inc.Pilkington-Henniger Charitable TrustPollara Inc.ProNorth TransportationRBC Royal BankRoche CanadaSamuel, Son & Co. LimitedScotiabankSobeys OntarioTakeda CanadaTeck Resources Limited

The Grocery FoundationThe Meat Factory The Ontario Trillium FoundationThe Vine Wine AgencyTurkey Farmers of OntarioVitalAireWest Lake PoultryYork University Graduate Students’ Association