Our Services

How Can We Help You?

Community Food Share offers a number of services to help families in need year-round. Please contact us for more information on how to benefit from any of these services, or to help ensure they continue successfully.

Nutritious food for those in need

Community Food Share (CFS) provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families in Dundas and Stormont Counties. On average, CFS food banks support approximately 381 households each month reaching more than 1,200 people in our communities.

In 2018, Community Food Share adopted a Healthy Choices model to ensure clients receive five days’ worth of nutritious food per visit. Developed in partnership with our local health unit, this model emphasizes fresh and wholesome options, including vegetables, fruit, dairy, and protein, while reducing pre-packaged and processed items.

CFS food banks follow a Client Choice Model, allowing clients to browse and select food based on their family’s needs—rather than receiving pre-packed baskets. This approach minimizes waste and respects individual preferences and dietary needs.

Food is made available through the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations. Corporate donors often contribute surplus or overstocked items, while monetary donations help us purchase specific foods to meet nutritional guidelines.

The need is real: people turn to CFS food banks when they have no other option. Our clients represent a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. Each visit provides a 5–7 day supply of healthy food per family member. Clients may visit once per month and are asked to choose a single location for service to avoid duplication.

Helping you optimize your return

Community Food Share's tax preparation services connects a trained volunteer with our clients to help them optimize their return.

Filing personal taxes can be a confusing and drawn-out process. There are also a number of rebates and benefits available that are not commonly-known, or require extra work to obtain.

In the past, our volunteers have helped families relieve tax stress and, in some cases, receive hundreds of dollars back from the government!

Home-grown generosity

To support our Healthy Choices initiative, Community Food Share collaborates with local organizations and volunteers to grow fresh produce in community gardens throughout the summer.

Our first garden was created in 2018 in partnership with St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Winchester. Inspired by its success, additional community garden boxes were developed in Finch—coordinated by Finch Recreation—and in Iroquois, managed by the Iroquois-Matilda Lions Club.

Thanks to volunteers, students, and generous donors, these gardens provide seasonal vegetables that are distributed through CFS food banks, giving clients access to fresh, homegrown produce.

Providing the support you need

At Community Food Share (CFS), we understand that food insecurity is often connected to other challenges. While we are not caseworkers or agents, our staff and volunteers are committed to supporting clients by sharing helpful information about community programs and resources.

We regularly provide updates through client newsletters, on-site bulletin boards, and by connecting clients with other agencies or services in the area. This may include information about free community meals, local support groups, or how to access 211 for help with housing, utilities, health services, and more.

Our goal is to ensure clients are aware of the assistance available beyond our food banks—so they can find the right support when they need it.

Growing minds & giving back

Growing Futures is a classroom-based program that educates students about food sustainability while raising awareness about hunger in our communities.

With the help of sponsors, Community Food Share installs indoor growing towers in local schools. Students grow herbs and vegetables while learning science, nutrition, and the importance of community support.

Recent participants include classrooms at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Chesterville and North Dundas District High School. These students have gained hands-on experience in food cultivation—and a deeper understanding of giving back.

Making sure everyone can enjoy the season

During the holiday season, Community Food Share works alongside local committees—such as the South Dundas Christmas Exchange and North Dundas Christmas Fund—to help families celebrate with dignity and warmth.

CFS supports registration for winter snowsuits through the North Dundas Christmas Fund and the Municipality of South Dundas. We also share information about other Christmas basket programs across the region to ensure no one is left behind during this special time of year.