Food, money needed to cover 790,000 meals this fall, food bank says

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region wants to raise enough food and money to provide 790,000 meals fromtheir fall food drive.

"Every day, throughout Waterloo Region, staff and volunteers of the food assistance network agencies hear stories of despair turning into stories of hope, largely because along with the food comes a smile, a connection to a vital resource, words of encouragement and the knowledge they are not alone," the food bank's executive director Wendi Campbell said in a release.

"Together, we can help the 1 in 20 households in our community that struggle to find their way from hunger to hope."

Canned items, cash needed

The food bank says the most needed items include beans in sauce, canned meat, canned fish, canned pasta, canned fruit, stews and chili, tomato sauce, rice, peanut butter and hot cereal.

Officials said financial donations are also critical the food bank can feed a family of four for four days with each $20 donation thanks to partnerships with the food industry and community businesses.

Residents will find food drive bags in their local newspapers over the next three weeks.

The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank willkick off its fall food drive on Wednesday.