House of Friendship Transforms Holiday Assistance Program

An organization in Waterloo Region is revamping its approach to holiday food assistance. The House of Friendship has announced significant changes to its Christmas Food Hamper Program, which last year provided support to approximately 4,700 families in Kitchener and Waterloo. Despite this outreach, many families were left without aid, as 8,000 people attempted to register for the program within just four days.

Clare Wagner, director of community services at the House of Friendship, noted the limitations of the previous model. “We had spots for 4,700 folks for a stand-alone Christmas-specific food hamper and thousands of families were left out,” she explained. The organization recognizes the need for a more inclusive system and has decided to eliminate the registration and delivery process for the 2025 holiday season.

New Focus on Ongoing Food Access

The House of Friendship aims to increase its capacity to provide meals by shifting to a more accessible model. This year, the goal is to deliver an additional 2,000 meals. Families will now have the opportunity to access food resources without the constraints of a specific registration system. Wagner stated, “We’re shifting from a model where folks have to register here in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo to be able to access food throughout the Christmas season.”

Individuals are encouraged to utilize the emergency food support program at their nearest location through the Community Food Assistance Network. The House of Friendship’s Emergency Food Hamper Program operates out of 807 Guelph Street in Kitchener, Monday to Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. This year, officials anticipate that over 6,500 families will seek assistance during the holiday season.

Community Involvement and Support

The success of this new initiative relies heavily on community support, particularly from local organizations. The Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club has been instrumental in fundraising efforts, notably through their Turkey Drive. Michael Gillespie from the Rotary Club expressed enthusiasm about the program’s new direction. “We pretty quickly understood that [the changes] made a lot of sense and that [House of Friendship] were the best people to make those judgements,” he stated.

Wagner emphasized the importance of ongoing support from donors and volunteers. “Generous support from donors, including the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary’s Turkey Drive, will continue,” she said. Volunteers will have opportunities to serve families through the food program, helping to ensure that those in need receive assistance during the festive season.

The House of Friendship is committed to its mission of supporting families and aims to connect more individuals with essential food resources. “We’re really excited to bring folks along who want to still help us with this new approach,” Wagner concluded. As the organization prepares for the upcoming holiday season, community involvement will be crucial to ensuring that no one is left without support.