Earlier this year, Dan Chan (CFN Board Member) and Tina Jackson (CFN Executive Director) met up with representatives from the Rotary Club of Haliburton for a very special meeting.

It was here that CFN purchased 36 Good Food Boxes with lottery proceeds.

​These will help stock our Highlands East Food Banks with 6 bags of fresh veggies & fruits per month, for 6 months, all to be distributed to our food bank clients!

At CFN, we are always looking for new ways we can provide our clients with fresh produce, and this was the perfect opportunity!

We are proud to use the funds from our CFN Heat & Eat Raffles to support other local community initiatives and businesses, like the Rotary Club of Haliburton​.

​The Good Food Box is a program that delivers a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables right to your Community. This program is ideal for anyone who needs to stretch their food budget as the retail value of the fruits and vegetables is well above the $20 cost of a Good Food Box bag.

Minden Community Food Centre (MCFC) manager Jean Munroe said things have never been busier at the Newcastle Street pantry, reporting an 18 per cent increase in demand through the first quarter of 2025, with Tina Jackson from Central Food Network reporting similar activity in Highlands East.

The figureheads from two of the County’s three major food bank operations told The Highlander, in an April 18 interview, that there’s been a “non-stop surge” in numbers stretching back to 2019.

According to Munroe, that’s putting considerable stress on the Minden food bank’s staff, volunteers, and bottom line. In 2024, the operation served 3,248 people, averaging 271 visits per month. Through January, February and March that total had reached 966 people – or 322 per month.

“It’s been six years of increase after increase after increase. I haven’t seen demand go down yet,” said Munroe, who celebrated her third year with the operation in February. “The big issue I’m hearing from people is rent. People are struggling to make ends meet and keep a roof over their head. Unfortunately, food is one of the first things people opt to go without.”

The recent ice storm had an impact, with some clients telling Munroe they lost all their frozen and refrigerated foods due to the prolonged power outage.

Jump in the Lake foodbank fundraiser set for May 17

After seeing just over 3,000 visits in 2023 – the first time the Minden hub crossed that annual threshold, Munroe said she’s preparing to hit another new milestone this year. With economic uncertainty stemming from the Canada-U.S. trade war, she feels things may get worse for those struggling before it gets better.

So, she and the MCFC board have decided to pivot. Beginning in mid-March, staff started sending clients home with three weeks’ worth of food, rather than the usual four, allowing the needy to visit more frequently.

It’s the second major transition in the past eight months, after the food bank, last summer, increased the amount of food people get each visit.

“We’re seeing the crunch everywhere – food is flying off our shelves faster than ever before. Trying to keep up with that is bringing its own challenges right now,” Munroe said, noting when she started the operation spent about $3,500 a month on food. Now, its bill is more than double that.

As a result, Munroe said the food bank is heavily reliant on community donations. More bins were set up across Minden last fall, which has helped keep non-perishables stocked – with 8,710 pounds collected so far this year.

Proteins and produce are more limited, though Monroe said some businesses, like Coneybeare’s Butcher Shop, have established programs where people can purchase things at cost, which is then donated.

“We’re getting lots of ground beef, which has been amazing,” Munroe said.

She’s also looking forward to the community garden at the fairgrounds reopening, which also helps.

Surging demand

Last year, CFN saw 4,128 visits to its food banks in Cardiff and Wilberforce, averaging 343 stops per month. Those numbers have increased slightly in early 2025, with CFN seeing 336 visits in January and 361 in February.

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Jackson estimates the operation is serving an additional 57 people – or 100 extra monthly visits. The Wilberforce food bank assisted 25 more households this January compared to last, with an additional 19 in February. In Cardiff, five new households were welcomed in January and seven in February.

CFN also distributed over 900 frozen meals to people in January and February through its Community Cooks program.

“Poverty in Canada is spiraling out of control. In the last five years, visits to Canadian food banks have almost doubled,” Jackson said.

In 2023, CFN was able to buy a cargo van, which Jackson said has allowed the local food banks to access reserves from bigger facilities in Belleville, Peterborough, and Lindsay. Last year, that brought 235,299 pounds of food valued at approximately $750,000 to the County.

That’s brought the facility’s monthly food spend way down, with Jackson saying CFN spent $2,200 in January. Before, she said they would have spent “considerably more.”

While she didn’t have numbers, Judy MacDuff, who runs the 4Cs Food Bank in Haliburton, said demand has been “a lot higher” through the first quarter of the year. She registered four new clients in a single day April 17.

In 2024, the site registered 2,213 visits, assisting 2,726 adults and 1,109 children, which MacDuff said was up from 2023.

“We need to see food prices come down and incomes go up… if it wasn’t for the Lily Ann, we wouldn’t be able to operate [at current levels]. It pays for our rent, heat, hydro and other things we need,” MacDuff said. “Donations [to the food bank] go directly to purchase food.”

Jump in

MCFC and CFN are partnering again this year for Jump in the Lake, scheduled for May 17. The annual event challenges people to get pledges before jumping in a local waterbody on the day.

It raised $11,500 last year, with Jackson hoping to eclipse that total this time around. As of press time, MCFC has 12 people registered, raising $2,000, with CFN at nine participants and $1,950 raised.

This will be the first time Jump in the Lake doesn’t run alongside the same-named Coboconk initiative, which happens May 3.

Munroe said this was done to try and encourage more cottagers to get involved. There will also be prizes for top individual fundraisers, Jackson noted. Munroe said she’ll be taking a dip in the Gull River this year, with Jackson diving into Halls Lake.

“We want this to be fun – something people can have a little competition with. Our organizations are facing lots of challenges and struggles right now. So get together, talk to your neighbours, form a team and help make a positive impact in our community,” Jackson said.

Located at the Highlands East Food Hub. In March 2025, our Wilberforce Food Bank made the following impact:

• 195 people from 93 families served
• 258 visits including 16 hamper deliveries
• 17 new intakes
• 18 Good Food Boxes*

How this compares to March 2024:

• 44 more visits in March 2025
• 30 more people served in March 2025

*Good Food Boxes in partnership with Haliburton Rotary. Some boxes are purchased by families receiving them, some by donors & others by lottery proceeds. 

Operating out of the Highlands East Food Hub. In March 2025:

• 346 frozen meals
• 224 muffins
• 13,575 lbs of rescue food transported, equating approximately 9,085 meals
• 3 deliveries to other food banks (3,338 lbs)

​
*Meal equivalency assumes 13% of food weight inedible & estimates average weight of a meal at 1.3 lbs. 

**Food Banks receiving deliveries cover a portion of travel for CFN to pick up & drop off food. 

In March 2025, Heat Bank Haliburton County made the following impact:

• 55 calls/requests for help
• 25 deliveries of firewood:
  • Haliburton: 9
  • Highlands East: 16
• 11 households assisted with hydro applications saving them $6,804 annually
• 2 Community Outreach Sessions attended

In early 2025, Tina Jackson (CFN's Executive Director) drove down to Minden to make a visit to MacEwen Petroleum in Minden. Here she met with Karen to give her a cheque from our raffle proceeds to purchase 394 litres of furnace oil for local families!
 
This is extra special — as it marks our first purchase for Heat Bank programs using proceeds from the CFN Heat & EAT 50/50 Raffle! Prior proceeds have already gone towards purchasing 180 pounds of ground beef for our food banks!

So far, we’ve held three raffles, each raising a winner’s pot of over $1,000! We’re proud to reinvest these funds into our community—supporting local businesses.

A huge thank you to everyone who has participated! Every ticket purchased helps stock our shelves, nourish our community, and keep our neighbours warm. 

Our next draw is on Saturday, May 3rd. Get your tickets today!

There were 222 visits to our Wilberforce food bank in February, providing food to 86 Families for a total of 170 people served. Of those people, 27 were children and 13 were new intakes.

​18 hampers were delivered to families unable to make it into the food bank themselves. This took 15 volunteer hours. 

​14 Good Food Boxes by Haliburton Rotary were distributed to local households (some of these are paid for by the families receiving them)

How the numbers compare:

• 19 more households / 16 more people served compared with February 2024.
• 16 more visits compared with February 2024
• 5 more deliveries were made compared with February 2024

Volunteers transported 17,271 lbs of rescue/surplus food equating to an estimated 11,558 meals*. Ken & Murray also made 1 delivery to Minden Community Food Centre to share 750 lbs of food, 1 delivery to John Howard Society to share 2,000 lbs of water & cereal and also shared cereals with Cardiff and Wilberforce Schools. (Food banks receiving deliveries cover a portion of the travel for CFN to pick up & drop off food that is shared with them)    

Made 384 servings of frozen meals, including chili and mango & ham dishes and 240 muffins. These were all distributed through our food banks. ​

There were 114 visits to our Cardiff food bank in February, providing food to 30 families for a total of 80 people served. Of those people, 23 were children and 7 were new intakes. 7 hampers were delivered to families unable to make it into the food bank themselves.

How the numbers compare:

• 7 more households / 27 more people served compared with February 2024.
• 45 more visits compared with February 2024.
• 7 more deliveries were made compared with February 2024

In total, Cardiff volunteers dedicated 100 hours this month. 

The population of Highlands East is 3,830 (according to the 2021 Census). Between Wilberforce and Cardiff food bank locations, we fed 250 people in February which works out to 6.5% of the population, not including the people that accessed food from the giveaway days, nor the people who received food delivered to other food banks / groups. ​

On March 4th, 2025 Ken was awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal in Wilberforce, Ontario. 

In giving the award, MP Jamie Schmale reflected on Ken's work with CFN,

"He has been a tireless volunteer with the Wilberforce Food Bank for the past decade often working 30 hours a week all year round. In fact, he was instrumental in establishing the Central Food Network in 2015. Last year, he drove over 25,000 kms resulting in 120,000 lbs of food being distributed across the network. "

Ken’s dedication is the kind that changes lives. He doesn’t just see a problem—he finds solutions. Whether it was ensuring the Wilberforce Food Bank had a home, co-founding Heat Bank Haliburton County, being a founding member of Central Food Network or leading the charge in food rescue and food & firewood
distribution, Ken never hesitates to step up, often without recognition and always without expectation.

His impact is far-reaching, but at its heart, it’s simple: he cares. And that care has
transformed lives & this community.

Ken, on behalf of all of us who have witnessed and benefited from your tireless
efforts, thank you. Thank you for all you do and thank you for who you are. Congratulations, Ken!!

After receiving the medal, Matthew Barnett (Colour & Motion Canada) sat down with Ken for an interview:

The King Charles III Coronation Medal was created to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6, 2023.

It recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to a particular province, territory, region, or community in Canada, or attained an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to our country.

Thank you Ken for your ongoing dedication to our community here in Wilberforce, Haliburton County and beyond.

​Ontario needs to make a commitment to erase poverty in Ontario.  Individuals need to make a living wage so that they can afford housing, food and heat.  As the use of food banks and heat banks and need for affordable housing has only increased in the last 5 plus years, it is crucial that the government that we elect be responsive and responsible for these very basic personal rights.  I ask that you please consider this as you vote in the provincial election this month.

From,
​
Nancy Wright-Laking
Chair of the Board, Central Food Network
​

​In mid-February on a snowy winter's day, our volunteer Sandy went to the Soloway Hot Dog Factory Outlet in Harcourt to pick up 180 one-pound packets of ground beef for our food bank clients in Highlands East. 

This was a special pick-up— as it marks our first purchase using proceeds from the CFN Heat & EAT 50/50 Raffle!

So far, we’ve held two raffles, each raising a winner’s pot of over $1,000! We’re proud to reinvest these funds into our community—supporting local businesses and providing high-quality food for our food bank clients.

A huge thank you to everyone who has participated! Every ticket purchased helps stock our shelves, nourish our community, and keep our neighbours warm. And special thank you to Soloway Hot Dog Factory Outlet Owner, David for assisting our team!

Our next draw is on Friday, February 21st. Get your tickets today!

The population of Highlands East is 3,830 (according to the 2021 Census). Between Wilberforce and Cardiff locations, we fed 248 people in January which works out to 6.5% of the population, not including the people that accessed food from the giveaway days, nor the people who received food delivered to Minden Community Food Centre. In addition, we broke our record for most calls received in a single month for hydro and heating support through Heat Bank Haliburton County. ​Below we have included a summary by program of our impact in January 2025.

Across all of our programs we are seeing an increased need for support - we are asking you to join us in our efforts to reduce hunger and keep our community warm. Our organization is fuelled by the generosity of neighbours helping neighbours, neighbours like you.

Share our work on social media, make a donation or buy a raffle ticket to fuel the efforts of our staff and 60+ volunteers across the Central Food Network. Together, we strengthen our community and create opportunities to help our neighbours who need an extra hand.​

There were 248 visits to the food bank in January, providing food to 87 Families for a total of 178 people served. Of those people, 34 were children and 7 were new intakes. 18 hampers were delivered to families unable to make it into the food bank themselves. This took 15 volunteer hours. 

How the numbers compare:

• 25 more households / 38 more people served compared with January 2024.
• 59 more visits compared with January 2024
• 7 more deliveries were made compared with January 2024

Volunteers transported 27,031 lbs of rescue/surplus food equating to an estimated 18,090 meals*. Most of this was shared with the broader community through open giveaways. Ken also made 2 deliveries to Minden Community Food Centre to share 1,850 lbs of food. (Food banks receiving deliveries cover a portion of the travel for CFN to pick up food that is shared with them)    

Made 519 frozen meals, including pasta & chili dishes. These were all distributed through our food banks. ​

There were 113 visits to the food bank in January, providing food to 28 Families for a total of 70 people served. Of those people, 20 were children and 11 were new intakes. 6 hampers were delivered to families unable to make it into the food bank themselves. In total, Cardiff volunteers dedicated 50 hours this month.

How the numbers compare:

• 5 more households / 10 more people served compared with January 2024.
• 39 more visits compared with January 2024.
• 2 more deliveries were made compared with January 2024​

CFN is fuelled by the generosity of neighbours helping neighbours - neighbours like you! Every dollar donated creates over three dollars of impact across Haliburton County through CFN's food, heat, hydro and tax support programs. Thank you for standing with us!