In 1985, a group of volunteers came together to answer a growing need in our community. What began in 1985 as a modest help line run by local churches to provide social services quickly revealed that a food assistance program was urgently needed in Kanata. With a $500 grant and a borrowed church basement, the Kanata Food Cupboard was born.
From those humble beginnings, the Kanata Food Cupboard has grown into one of the region’s most critical support systems, serving thousands of individuals and families each year with dignity and respect. In 2024 alone, the organization supported over 400 families each month, a 21% increase from the year before. Volunteers donated over 17,500 hours of their time to keep operations running smoothly, and close to 350,000 pounds of non-perishable food were collected, with an additional 149,000 pounds rescued from local grocery stores and restaurants.
This work is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of donors, volunteers, and community partners who believe in showing up for their neighbours. As demand has increased, so too has the response. Local businesses, schools, churches, and service clubs have all played a vital role—organizing food drives, raising funds, and ensuring that shelves are stocked year-round and that no one in need is turned away.
In addition to its regular food programs, the Kanata Food Cupboard has grown to offer a range of seasonal supports—from Holiday program to a Winterwear drive and Back-to-School backpacks. Through its Seeds and Soil program, families are even given the tools to grow their own fresh produce at home. These programs go beyond food—they restore a sense of agency, celebration, and care.
As the Kanata Food Cupboard celebrates 40 years of service, it remains committed to a simple, powerful promise: to provide the healthiest possible food choices to anyone in need. It is a testament to what’s possible when a community comes together—every day, for forty years.
Join us as we celebrate 40 years of building a community of kindness!
By the Kanata Food Cupboard.
