SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED THROUGH THE FOOD BANK...

 

The needs of low income families extend beyond receiving adequate food. To meet these additional needs the Cambridge Self – Help Food Bank offers a variety of support services within its facility. We believe that by providing these services we are helping an incredible amount to those living in or below the poverty line.

 

Self-help refers to self-guided improvement - economically, intellectually, emotionally, psychologically or spiritually.


The basis for self-help is often self-reliance, where people with similar problems join together, and can receive help in any way to become more stable. People can share their experiences, and show how they came to deals with it.

 

 

 

 INFANT NUTRITION

       The Community Nutrition Worker at the Food Bank educates parents on how to prepare their own baby food. Groups of 6 - 8 will learn how to cook, prepare and freeze nutritious food for their child (ren). All participants receive a kit with all the necessary tools to begin preparing their own baby food.  

 

For more info please call Pattiesue at ext. 107.

Kurt and Burt Walters fund this program, in memory of their son Eric, who died in a car accident. Thanks to Kurt and Burt their memories of Eric will live on through this program 
 

  

 

GRANDPARENTS SUPPORT GROUP

PARENTING OUR GRANDCHILDREN

 

A peer to peer self-help support group offering moral support, resources, information and guidelines for second time parents. This group will focus on paternal or maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members who have assumed responsibility for raising an immediate family member.


The group provides an opportunity for participants to share information, practical tips for daily living and encouragement about issues related to what may be an unexpected parenting role taken on later in life.

For more information about the Grandparents Support Group please contact Bonnie at  519-622-6550 ext. 112 or bdion@cambridgefoodbank.on.ca


 This group meets the third Wednesday of the month ... EXCEPT for June - August we meet on Saturdays. 

please call for exact dates for the summer months.


 

 

  

BACKPACKS FOR BOOKWORMS

   Backpack for Bookworms was created when  low-income families expressed  a difficulty when purchasing school supplies for the upcoming school year. The cost of sending a child back to school is on the rise as cutbacks to the school system continue to be handed out.

You can help make a difference by donating to those less fortunate in your community. Backpack for Bookworms ensures that families living in or below the poverty line will be able to receive a backpack, school supplies and a new pair of running shoes.

Consider honoring your child’s teacher by sponsoring a less fortunate child in the community.
 

Donate and purchase a backpack filled with supplies, drop it off at the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank, on behalf of your child’s teacher.

Referrals are made through the
• Outreach Workers in Cambridge & North Dumfries
• Local schools in the community
• Community agencies that recognize a need within their families
 

All donations received are distributed to children living in the Cambridge and North Dumfries area.
 

 


CHRISTMAS SPONSORSHIP

 

   The Christmas Season can be a very overwhelming for families who do not have enough money to buy gifts for their families or loved ones. The Food Bank administers two programs that offer help to these families in need.

The first program is a sponsorship program where families, businesses or even schools can sponsor a family for the holidays, and provide them with gifts. The Cambridge Self – Help Food Bank provides the sponsors with details about the family; clothing sizes, ages and sex of the children etc. This program helps the community come together during the holidays and help those in need.

The second program is a three-day event in which parents come to the Food Bank, and choose gifts for their children. Each child is provided with a large gift, stocking stuffers, books etc. This program is open to custodial, and non-custodial parents.

The Cambridge Firefighters Basket Fund and Salvation Army Angel Tree partner with the Food Bank to make this program happen.
For more information on receiveing Christmas support please contact Shawna at 519-622-6550 ext. 210.



BABY BASKETS

   Baby Baskets are given to low-income families who are expecting a child. The baskets are filled with baby essentials that help the family begin the next chapter in their life. Our best wishes are sent to these families as they welcome their new arrival.



BIRTHDAY IN A BOX

 

Cambridge Self – Help Food Bank provides birthday  boxes for children's birthdays whose parents are unable to provide a present for him/her. We feel that birthdays are very important in all children's lives, and we are glad to be able to help in this way.

Parents are asked to call a couple of weeks in advance of your child's birthday, tell us the age, and sex of the child, and we will take care of the rest.

 

 

 

TENDER TUSHIES

     The Cloth Diaper Program is designed to promote the use of cloth diapers versus disposable diapers to low income families. The Tender Tushies program works like a library; a parent signs out a set of diapers and returns them when the child has outgrown that size and exchanges them for a larger size.

Participants interested in this program will receive;
• A set of cloth diapers (one piece with velcro) to fit their child
• A diaper pail and laundry detergent for the diapers

Benefits of Using Cloth Diapers
• Free from harmful chemicals
• Babies are more comfortable in cloth diapers
• Environmentally friendly
• Help facilitate potty training
• Cheaper than disposables
• Re-usable and washable

* There is no cost for participation in this program.

Kiwanis Club of Cambridge sponsors this program. The following are goals and objectives of Kiwanis;
• To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life
• To promote the acceptance and the purpose of higher social, business, and professional standards
• To develop, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship
• To build better communities


CLOTHING ROOM

 

 

The Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank’s clothing distribution program offers infants, children’s, women’s, and men’s used clothing. Shoes and household linens are also often available.

For individuals with an upcoming job interview or starting employment our clothing room provides an outfit for that first important step. In order to keep our career clothing room stocked we are in need of good quality and up-to-date items of all sizes for both men and women.



Once Upon a Child donates a great amount of clothing to the Cambridge Self – Help Food Bank.

At Once Upon a Child, they buy and sell new and used gently used kids’ stuff – clothing, toys, furniture, equipment and lots more. They care about your children’s safety so you can always be sure that all items in their stores meet current Canadian Safety Standards.

Cambridge Location
480 Hespeler Rd.
Cambridge, ON
N1R 7R9
Phone: 519-621-0190

 

 

 

 

5 Queen St. E.
Cambridge, ON
519-658-1106
monkeyaroundshop@gmail.com