St Paul's on-the-hill Community Food Bank

Serving Pickering and Ajax residents since 1990

Feeding Hope in Pickering and Ajax
Nestled in the heart of Pickering, St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank stands as a beacon of hope and support for low-income families in Ajax and Pickering. Founded in 1990 as an outreach initiative of St. Paul's on-the-Hill Church, it has grown into the largest food bank in Pickering, now serving an average of 3,000 individuals each month.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion
Our mission is simple yet profound: to alleviate hunger and provide essential food support to those in need. With the cost of living soaring and new client registrations hitting record highs, our role in the community has never been more critical. We operate solely on donations from our generous community and are powered by a dedicated team of volunteers.

Meeting the Community's Needs
At St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank, we serve low-income families who can visit us twice a month to receive assistance with their groceries. Our offerings include:
- Canned food items and non-perishables
- Fresh produce, milk, and eggs
- Baby food and diapers for families with infants
- Frozen meats, dairy, and other perishable items through partnerships with local grocery stores like Derek’s Your Independent Grocer, Sobeys Ajax, Food Basics and Metro.

The Power of Volunteers
Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our operation. On Mondays and Wednesdays they stock shelves, sort donations, and pick up grocery store orders. On Tuesdays and Fridays, they distribute food to clients and manage incoming donations. Without their unwavering dedication, our mission would be impossible to achieve. With 120 dedicated and passionate volunteers, we distributed 526,940 lbs of food in 2025, aiding 36,988 individuals.

The Growing Need: Hunger Count
Food Bank usage has significantly increased and in the summer months especially, donations are typically low posing many challenges in food distribution. Below is a breakdown showing the growth:
- In 2021, 14,046 individuals assisted
- In 2022, 20,688 individuals assisted
- In 2023, 29,119 individuals assisted
- In 2024, 35,404 individuals assisted

How You Can Help
Your support can make a significant difference. Here are some ways you can contribute:
- Host or contribute to a local food drive
- Collect money donations from friends and family
- Become involved with your school fundraising team
- Raise awareness in your community
- Become a volunteer

Join us in our mission to fight hunger and bring hope to those in need. Together, we can make a difference.