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.

​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,
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Nancy Wright-Laking
Chair of the Board, Central Food Network
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After 12 hours on air, 93.5 Moose FM Haliburton’s annual Christmas Radiothon raised $49,200 for county food banks. 

The money will be split proportionately between the food banks in Minden, Haliburton, Wilberforce, and Cardiff. 

Jean Munroe, executive director of Minden Community Food Centre, says she is “proud to be a part of this amazing community.”

​“I’m thrilled with how today went at Moose FM 93.5. As a team, we worked together to answer phones and greet donors who came down to the radio station,” says Munroe.

Tina Jackson, executive director of Central Food Network, says the Highlands has once again “shown its heart and stepped up” to make a difference.

“Your generosity and kindness will spread throughout the Highlands to help the individuals and families who rely on our services,” says Jackson.

According to Food Banks Canada, in March 2024, there were over 2 million visits to food banks in Canada, the highest number in history. This represents a 6 per cent increase compared to 2023 and a 90 per cent increase compared to 2019.

“Thank you for standing with us in the fight against hunger. Together, we feed Haliburton County,” says Jackson.

Abhi sits down with Tina Jackson, who leads Canada’s longest-running independently funded 'heat bank.' that helps people who do not have adequate means in Haliburton County (ON) stay warm, regardless of what fuel they use for heating. We discuss valuable lessons Canada can learn from the successes and challenges of this unique initiative.

​Ken Mott remembers what it was like before Wilberforce had a food bank.

People were struggling, often turning to family, friends, and neighbours to put food on the table. This was pre-2002. Before two local women started a movement that still stands strong today.

Chris Foster-London and Clara Burt ushered in a new era in Highlands East. Their grassroots initiative, where they would anonymously leave food and money on the doorstep of families they knew to be struggling, took hold. They started a part-time operation at the outreach centre in Highland Grove – the community’s first real food bank.

Mott was one of the early beneficiaries.

“I had a heart attack and was in the hospital for a while. When I got home, there was a cheque for $50 and food sitting on my table these two ladies had dropped off. I decided I wanted to be a part of this, do my bit and help wherever I could,” he said.

That was a little over 20 years ago. Mott is now recognized as one of the longest tenured volunteer with Central Food Network – the organization that runs the food banks in Wilberforce and Cardiff.

It’s now a “well-oiled machine”, said Mott – who manages the food hub in Wilberforce, and its community cooks program. But it wasn’t always that way.

For the first couple of years, Mott said the food bank relied on community donations. He would get calls from Ontario Works, telling him there was food somewhere that he could go pick up, so he’d hit the road. Mott did his job with a smile on his face, realizing the difference he was making.

Highlands East township got involved in the early 2010s. The township donated land behind Lloyd Watson Memorial Arena, and the food bank was opened in late 2015.

It’s open two days per week – on Wednesday and Friday afternoons. People are welcomed inside, given a shopping cart, and left to roam for non-perishable foods. Milk, produce, and meats are also available from the food banks’ fridge and freezer.

Mott said the food bank is busier than it has ever been – it’s not uncommon for him to find 10 people lined up at the door on days they’re open. He said around 30 people will stop by during opening hours, from 1 to 3 p.m.

“The price of everything has gone up, so it’s no wonder people are struggling. And with the struggle comes extra demand, extra dependency on the food bank,” Mott said.

Mott spends multiple days a week at the food bank, helping to sort and put away food, while he also assists with the delivery program.

Asked what has kept him going these past 20-plus years, Mott said it’s always been about the people.

“Seeing the smiles on faces when they’re walking out the door – for me, that’s what it’s all about. Making a difference one person at a time,” Mott said.

After successful inaugural events that saw more than a dozen County residents plunge into frigid water to raise money for the Minden Community Food Centre and Central Food Network (CFN) in Highlands East, the two organizations are teaming up for this year’s Jump in the Lake fundraiser.

Friendly competition is the theme touted by Jean Munroe, manager of the Minden food bank, and Tina Jackson, executive director at CFN. The “fun” event will be happening across the Highlands May 4.

“Unlike a typical polar plunge, Jump in the Lake challenges participants to take a dip from wherever they choose – their own docks, a public beach, or heck, even a cold plunge tub,” Munroe said.

She added there won’t be a central gathering spot where people can jump, and the public will observe, noting there would be significant insurance costs to host a public event.

“We want every penny from this to go towards helping people in our communities,” Munroe said.

Events last year raised $3,500 in Minden and $3,015 in Highlands East. Jackson said she reached out to Munroe earlier this year to partner on the initiative, in the hopes of drawing larger numbers.

Jackson said they’re promoting the event as a way for friends, family, and local businesses to engage in some friendly competition. caught onto the initiative after seeing how successful it had been in Coboconk, for the community’s health hub. She’s raised more than $5,000 over the years.

“There’s so many ways to get involved and push your fellow plungers – businesses can challenge other businesses, friends and family can challenge one another. I think it’s a really fun way to do this,” Jackson said, noting there will also be a competition between the two food banks, with the losing team donning rubber duck floats on their way into the water.

Costumes are encouraged, especially considering the event is being held on May 4 – universally accepted as Star Wars appreciation day.

Fundraisers like this are more important than ever, both Munroe and Jackson say, with demand at their food banks at an alltime high. Munroe said usage in Minden was up 35 per cent last year, and 27 per cent in 2022, with Jackson sharing a similar story in Highlands East, which reported a 37 per cent increase at locations in Cardiff and Wilberforce in 2023.

“We’re having a tough time keeping up. We’re getting new people through the door every day. We used to see, maybe, four new people per month. Now we’re seeing four or five new people per day sometimes,” Munroe said. “And the big thing is it’s working people… between the high cost of rent and prices increasing for practically everything else, people don’t know where to turn.”

Horseshoe Lake resident Amanda Federchuk has been raising money for the Minden Community Food Centre by jumping into cold water for the past five years. She caught onto the initiative after seeing how successful it had been in Coboconk, for the community’s health hub. She’s raised more than $5,000 over the years.

“It’s always such a thrill on that day. I’m lucky that I have a whole community that rallies around me, which always helps to get the adrenaline pumping pre-jump,” Federchuk said. “Once you’re in, it’s a blast of cold. A bit of a shock to the system – it’s definitely breathtaking, but it’s all over in a minute or so.

“I tell people all the time – I’m pretty sure jumping in an ice-cold lake is good for your immune system. The water hits differently here. I always feel great right after.” To register as a participant, or to donate, visit mindencommunityfoodcentre.ca, or centralfoodnetwork.org.

May the fourth be with you

Highlands realtor Dean Michel is preparing for his fifth Jump in the Lake challenge, raising money for the Coboconk and area food bank.

In previous years, the event has served as a fundraiser for the Coboconk health hub – currently under construction. Since its inception in 2020, Jump in the Lake has raised over $150,000. Michel noted this year’s goal is $20,000.

Leaning into the Star Wars theme, given the May 4 date, Michel encouraged the community to get involved.

“This challenge embodies our strong community spirit. Year after year we are absolutely thrilled with how such a small action by a number of people has the ability to transform and inspire a small community,” Michel said. “It’s a lot of fun for a fantastic cause.”

​Central Food Network (CFN) says its food van project “has revolutionized food distribution locally.”

The project, funded through a grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund and donations from the Rotary Club of Haliburton, 100.9 CanoeFM radio bingo proceeds, and private donors, has exceeded all expectations, executive director Tina Jackson said.

The amount required for the van was funded faster than anticipated, she added, highlighting the support and dedication of the community.

“Since rolling onto Central Food Network’s lot seven months ago, the cargo van has been a game-changer, transporting an astounding 105,619 lbs of food with an estimated value of $371,779. Additionally, it has facilitated over 40 deliveries to other local food banks, diversifying the food available for all members of the community,” Jackson said.

“This cargo van is not only empowering us to reach more individuals in need but also enables us to better collaborate with neighboring food banks, maximizing the impact of our collective efforts at a time when its most needed,” said Tina Jackson, Executive Director of Central Food Network.”

The grant from Agriculture and AgriFood Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund provided essential support, while the contributions from local organizations and individuals demonstrated the community’s united effort to address food access issues, Jackson said.

Aaron Hill of Rotary Club of Haliburton said, “Food security in our communities is very important to us, and we’re proud to have played a part in this important initiative. The success of the food cargo van project underscores the impact that can be achieved when organizations and individuals come together to support their community.”

The majority of the food being transported is surplus food within the food bank network, highlighting the impact of food banks, food distributors and food producers in Ontario working together to ensure no food goes to waste, Jackson said.

“Central Food Network remains committed to its mission of eliminating food insecurity in the Haliburton Highlands. The cargo van represents a significant step forward in achieving this goal by improving food distribution and ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry.”

For more information about CFN and its initiatives, visit centralfoodnetwork.org or contact Tina Jackson at 705-448-9711.

​Recently announced enhancements to the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP) is welcome news to Tina Jackson, executive director of Highlands East’s Central Food Network (CFN), though she believes the County’s lowest income residents require further support.

The Ontario Energy Board announced effective March 1 income eligibility thresholds will increase by up to 35 per cent, making the program accessible to thousands more households.

The OESP provides a monthly hydro credit for eligible customers based on household income and size. Credits are applied directly to customers’ monthly bills once an application is approved, Jackson said.

“I don’t want in any way to not celebrate this, because it is an enhancement, but I think more help is needed,” she told The Highlander. “People are being hit on all sides in terms of increased cost of living, not simply just increases in their hydro bill.”

Under the new criteria, single people with an after-tax income of up to $38,000, and couples with an after-tax income of up to $54,000, will qualify. Credits range from $35 to $75 per month. Higher credits are provided to customers who use certain medical devices, those who heat their home with electricity, or are Indigenous or living with Indigenous family members.

Jackson said CFN has processed 540 applications, unlocking close to $350,000 in hydro credits for local households since OESP launched in 2016.

“It is application-based, so people have to know about it, they have to apply for the money to get it. The same is true for the increase,” Jackson said, saying those already enrolled will need to reapply. Local staff can assist with any application, she said, noting Heat Bank Haliburton – a CFN program – is an OEB-authorized intake agency.

Thresholds for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) will match the new OESP levels. Jackson said LEAP provides emergency financial help to households in hydro-related arrears. Effective March 1, LEAP grants for households who heat their home using electricity will increase to $780, from $600, with those who use other methods jumping to $650, from $500.

Bigger picture ‘bleak’

Jackson said CFN has seen increased demand across all programs over the past year. In 2023, food banks the organization has in Cardiff and Wilberforce saw a monthly average of 217 unique visitors – a 37 per cent increase from 2021.

“I feel like I say this every year, but we are now serving the greatest number of people we have ever served. I don’t see that changing any time soon,” Jackson said.

CFN has been able to meet this increased demand by developing connections with other food banks across the province. Whenever some of these other facilities, often located in larger urban areas, has too much, they connect with CFN who then arranges to pick up and transport the food to the Highlands.

It’s a similar story for the heat bank. Typically, CFN serves around 120 households each year, but from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023 they served 156 households – a 27 per cent increase. Jackson said that number would likely have been up again if not for this winter’s mild weather.

Jackson said the situation isn’t likely to change until Ontario beefs up other social assistance programs such as Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The base monthly rate for those on OW is $733 a month, with ODSP paying $1,308 – only $556 of which can be applied to shelter/accommodation costs.

“It would be next to impossible to find an apartment in Haliburton while also putting food on the table, paying for transportation and utilities – it just doesn’t add up, which is why so many are struggling,” Jackson said.

Those on ODSP are further restricted by what Jackson called outdated rules preventing them, or anyone else, living in their household, from topping up a collective income with other revenue streams.

“It’s all income tested, so if you or anyone else you live with is in receipt of other income, your benefits are reduced. Even if somebody was getting money from the Canada Pension Plan, that is deducted dollar for dollar off their ODSP cheque,” Jackson said. “So, really, if you rely on ODSP you are basically forced to live in poverty.”

For more information, visit centralfoodnetwork.org or call 705-306-0565.

A charitable organization is striving to keep Haliburton County residents toasty in their homes amidst plummeting temperatures and rising heating costs this winter.

Over the past year, the demand for services from Heat Bank Haliburton County, a program of the Central Food Network (CFN), has grown, as the cost of living continues to increase or people incur extra costs such as for medical expenses, noted Tina Jackson, CFN’s executive director.

The mission of Heat Bank Haliburton County is to keep residents’ homes heated and to create opportunities to help those living in poverty. According to CFN, Haliburton County has one of the highest rates of energy poverty in Canada.
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“For some, the added cost of filling up the oil or propane tanks or stocking the woodshed is a minor inconvenience — for others, it means heartbreaking sacrifices and juggling whether to heat or eat,” CFN noted. “Many homes in our community will not have enough money for both and will have to cut on their grocery or medication costs in order to keep their homes at minimal temperatures.”

Heat Bank Haliburton County began in 2013 as a community initiative with a mission to increase the supply of, and ease of access to, emergency firewood and heat for vulnerable residents of Haliburton County.

The bank formed when several community groups, agencies and community members recognized the need for a united front to provide support.

Jackson was one of the founders, along with A Place Called Home, Heather Reid and Abbey Gardens, Judy MacDuff and David Ogilvie and 4C’s of Haliburton, Ken Mott and Wilberforce Food Bank, Robert Spurrier and Cardiff Community Food Bank, John Teljeur and JT’s Food Crusade, and Terry Goodwin and Men of Integrity.

“We decided if we all just collectively work together …. we could build up bigger supplies,” Jackson said.

Heat Bank Haliburton County is now a registered charity operating in the Municipality of Highlands East in the Haliburton Highlands.

The reception from the community about having heat resources available, is one of “appreciation,” the executive director said.

“We do so much more than just offer fuel grants,” Jackson explained. “We will also look at people’s household income and what their circumstances are and try to figure out if there are any other services and supports available to also help them.”

For example, the heat bank received a call recently from someone whose propane tanks were getting low, and they didn’t have the cash available for a minimum fill. As Jackson spoke with them about income, hydro bills, and other matters, she was able to tell them they were eligible for a credit.

“So, in addition to a $600 fuel grant, we’re also going to help them with the paperwork to get a hydro credit. Now they’re going to be saving $45 a month off their hydro (bill), which could help them put a little bit of food in the cupboards or help them keep up with the heating costs in the future.”

The heat bank, originally an initiative of A Place Called Home, was taken on by CFN in 2016. Like a food bank, the heat bank runs solely on donations, Jackson noted.

There are firewood depots situated across Haliburton County, which allows for wood donations to be directed to an area close to its source, CFN noted.

“It also means that we are really neighbours helping neighbours, especially given the number of community members who come together to help cut and split wood and the team of volunteers who deliver it, even on the worst of winter days.”

The heat bank provides emergency firewood — small amounts of free, seasoned firewood to households that are struggling with the cost of heating their homes or find themselves in a heating emergency.

As Jackson noted, the intake process helps determine residents’ eligibility to benefit from other programs or supports.

The heat bank’s ‘Home to Home Firewood Program’ connects lower-income households who heat with wood to households that have extra hardwood. This program runs from spring through to early fall.

When it comes to oil and propane, the heat bank provides grants for emergency fuel, information, referral, and advocacy support for access to services and programs, and assistance to “identify longer-term or alternative strategies to promote the household’s autonomy.” It also provides information for low-income hydro customers and staff will advocate and negotiate directly with Hydro One.

The Heat Bank is an authorized intake agency for the Ontario Energy Board’s LEAP – Low-income Energy Assistance Program hydro arrears program and Ontario Electricity Support Program hydro credit program.

For more information about Heat Bank Haliburton County, or to make a donation, visit the website at www.heatbankhc.ca or call or send a text to 705-306-0565.

From free food events in Haliburton County to complimentary Christmas dinners in Northumberland County, two initiatives happened over the holidays to ensure people didn’t go hungry.

According to the Central Food Network (CFN), a registered charity that runs two food banks and offers other food-related programs and services in Haliburton County, one in eight households in Canada are considered food insecure. This means about four million Canadians, including 1.15 million children, are struggling daily to feed themselves and their families.

Over the holidays, CFN held free food events in Wilberforce on December 27, 28, and 29 and again on January 2, 3, and 4. The organization offered fresh produce, pastries, and more — mostly donated by Peterborough-area grocery store chains and through Kawartha Food Share — at the Highlands East Food Hub at 2249 Loop Rd.

The free food events were held while CFN’s regular services were closed for two weeks between December 22 and January 8. At each event, volunteers spent three hours distributing surplus food to those in need. Residents did not need to be registered with the food bank to take part and were also encouraged to bring bags and totes to pick up food for their friends and neighbours as well.

“Our mission is to assist our community and partners, share food and heat resources, and create opportunities to help those living in poverty,” CFN states on its website. “When we work together, we can do more to help people. We are constantly working collaboratively and creatively to reach out to food and heat resources and share with others that need it. We are also working tirelessly on new programming to strengthen our community.”

CFN food banks serve people in Highlands East and eastern parts of Dysart, and the charity shares and exchanges food with other food banks and agencies across Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands. The Highlands East Food Hub opened in late 2015 and serves as a regional food hub for the eastern part of Haliburton County. Read more about CFN’s food and heat bank programs in an upcoming kawarthaNOW story.

Meanwhile in Northumberland County, Just Like Granny’s in the Municipality of Brighton, served turkey dinners with all the trimmings on Christmas Day.

Granny’s staff and volunteers gathered for the fifth consecutive year at the Prince Edward Street bakery to package meals for all who needed or wanted a holiday dinner.

“This year our Christmas crew helped us package and give out over 120 meals to people in our community — bringing a total from the past five years to 796 meals,” said Just Like Granny’s owners, Mel and Jeremy Dean, in a social media post.

​“It is no easy feat making Christmas dinner for that many people,” the Deans noted. “It takes a lot of time, organization, resources, money, and a few of Santa’s top elves to pull it off. Fortunately for us, no sooner than when we announced what we were doing, our community and friends/family jumped into action. The outpouring of support that we received from the community was nothing short of world-class.”

“We had people stopping us on the street giving us donations, and people dropping off turkeys and hams — people wanting to volunteer their time, money, cars, you name it. We even had a 93-year-old man offer to help peel spuds.”

“It truly was humbling to know that in a world with so much sadness and hate, that there are so many people in our town that are kind, generous, compassionate, caring, and loving. This is an amazing community and we’re proud to be part of it,” the couple shared.