With the increased cost of living, we know that sometimes putting food on the table can be a struggle! The Food Bank is a judgment-free zone where people from our city can get access to food to help fill the pantry. We believe the Church exists to come alongside people and to come alongside our city. The Food Bank is co-run between volunteers from Zion Church in Oshawa, and Hope Fellowship Church in Courtice. Have questions about how to use the Food Bank? Check out our Food Bank FAQ below!
Food Bank FAQ
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The Food Bank is open weekly on Thursdays from 9:00-11:00am. Doors open at 8:45am, when numbers are handed out in a lottery based system. For any who arrive after 8:45, they will receive the next number in line. Doors will be locked at 11:00AM. You are welcome to come at any time between 8:45-11:00am!
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To make use of Food Bank services, you must bring a piece of government ID for yourself, and anyone in your household that you are picking food up for. You need to also provide proof of address (anything with your name and address, like a driver’s license, rental agreement, or bill). Food will only be distributed for the number of people who you provided valid ID for.
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The Food Bank is open to those in the Oshawa and surrounding community who need assistance in providing food for themselves and their family. We do not complete income checks or ask for proof of need.
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You are welcome to use the Food Bank once every three weeks! No appointment or pre-registration is necessary! Our Food Bank acts as a supplementary food source, and doesn’t prevent you from accessing other Food Banks in the area.
Looking to help?
The Food Bank relies heavily on donations and volunteers to assist in the weekly Food Bank operations!
Food Donations
The most needed items are: peanut butter, tomato sauce, laundry & dish detergent, personal hygiene items (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products etc.), cereal, coffee & tea, and oil. However any non-perishable food items are welcome!
You can drop off any food donations at the church office during office hours.
Monetary Donations
Our preferred method of donation towards the Food Bank is monetary, as it allows our volunteers to purchase perishable and needed items. Each week we purchase hundreds of pounds of fresh produce, as well as eggs and dairy products to ensure that everyone who comes through gets some of these healthy food choices. You can give towards the Food Bank through cash/cheque, e-transfer, and online - just include a note that it is for the Food Bank!
Volunteering at the Food Bank
We have an amazing team of over 30 people who give their time freely each week to serve our city! If you are interested in joining the team, please reach out to the Zion office. Before serving at the Food Bank, each person is required to go through an interview and screening process.
Partnering With Our CITY
We’re so grateful for our community that generously supports the Food Bank, helping keep our shelves stocked so we can serve the city!
We are also so grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of local businesses and organizations, including Five Points Metro store, Second Harvest, Feed the Need Durham, Cobs Bakery in Courtice, the two Costco in Oshawa and Farm Boy in Whitby and Oshawa, whose food donations make it possible for us to keep running! We love it when we can work together within community in order to give back to our city.
We have also received thousands of items from Walter E. Harris Public School, Coronation Public School, Dr. Robert Thornton Public School, Immanuel Christian School, and other drives organized by local community members and businesses! We are so blessed by their support!
