We ask that you bring a piece of identification for yourself and ALL members of your household. As well, please bring an income statement for every member that receives an income. Identification is also required for ALL children living in the household. If identification and income statement are not provided, you may be asked to return when you are able to provide those documents.
We have four different sized hampers. These hamper sizes are based on your household size. For example, if you are a single person household, you will receive a single hamper. Each hamper includes but is not limited to a variety of staple items including mac and cheese, canned vegetables, canned meat, cereal, soups, juice, crackers, and fruit. On top of your hamper, you will receive protein items, dairy items (if applicable to your household size), bread and pastry items as well as fresh produce (based on availability). We try and align our hampers to the Canada Food Guide as much as possible. Our food hampers are expected to last between 3 to 5 days.
Many of our clients can access services once per month. However, this is determined upon the information you provide to our intake workers, your level of determined need and your financial situation.
We have alternate items, based on donations only, that clients are able to have when they come in. These items can include hygiene products such as shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes. We also have pet food and household items. These are items that are donated, therefore, they are on a first come, first serve basis.
Our services are from 9am until 12pm (noon) Monday to Friday and again on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00pm for working families and students only (currently suspended due to COVID-19). We ask that you come prior to 11:30 (or 7:45pm on Wednesdays) to ensure that you get through.
Michelangelo’s Café is a free program that runs during the same hours as the food bank. Anyone can access this service and there is no need for identification. You can ask for hot or cold refreshments, a sandwich and a treat. You can come to the café every day if you wish and can stay as long or as little as you want. The café is open to the community to provide immediate hunger relief.
With proper identification, written permission from the individual that you are picking up for along with accurate contact information for that person, we can try and accommodate the request.
The receptionist at the front desk will provide you with a form to complete. This form has demographic information that we require in order to process your food hamper request. You will be required to show identification and income statements for all members of your household. At the top of your form will be a number. This number represents when you will be served. While you wait, you can have a hot or cold refreshment, sandwich and treat from Michelangelo’s Café.