Durham Region Municipalities come together to support Feed the Need in Durham

Pickering, ON, September 2, 2025 - Durham Region area municipalities are once again coming together in support of National Hunger Action Month this September to raise awareness, food donations, and funds to fight hunger in the community.

Hunger is an important issue that affects individuals, seniors, and families throughout the Region. As Durham Region continues to rapidly grow and food prices increase, more people are experiencing homelessness and/or using food banks and related services than ever before. Since 2020, food bank visits have surged over 250 per cent in Durham Region, according to Feed the Need in Durham.

For the month of September, there will be drop-off locations throughout Durham, making it easy for residents, businesses, and community groups to donate non-perishable food items. Visit your local municipality online to find a drop-off location near you:

• ajax.ca/FoodDrive
• clarington.net/FeedTheNeed
• oshawa.ca/FeedTheNeed
• pickering.ca/HungerAction (campaign extended to October 16, 2025)
• scugog.ca/HungerAction
• townshipofbrock.ca/BrockBeatsHunger  
• uxbridge.ca
• whitby.ca/FeedTheNeed   

All donations will be leveraged by Feed the Need in Durham and area food banks to support local families in need.

Leverage your impact: For every $1 donated, Feed the Need in Durham can collect, store, and distribute two meals and other needed products to reach those in need. Donate online.

Feed the Need is also always on the lookout for volunteers who want to make a positive difference in our communities. Consider a donation of time another way to give back and support Hunger Action Month. 

QUICK FACTS

• Almost 37,000 unique individuals accessed a Feed the Need in Durham food bank between April 2024 and March 2025.
• Last year Feed the Need Durham partnered with the Town of Whitby to open a new market-style food bank, to provide fresh, frozen and non-perishable food items to individuals and families in need. The market aims to offer more choices and meet diverse dietary needs, while addressing the increasing demand for food bank services.
• View Feed the Need in Durham’s Wish List of most desired food items.

For media inquiries, contact:

Sam Paterson, Interim Supervisor of Communications and Engagement
Town of Ajax
Phone: 365-885-1202
Email: Samantha.Paterson@ajax.ca

Tamra Kaiser, Communications and Tourism Coordinator
Township of Brock
Phone: 705-432-2355 x 232
Email: Tamra.Kaiser@brock.ca

Melissa Westover, Manager, Strategic Communications and Initiatives
Municipality of Clarington
905-623-3379 ext. 2019 
Email: mwestover@clarington.net

Corporate Communications
City of Oshawa
905-436-5686
Email: communications@oshawa.ca 

Nicole Hann, Coordinator, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications
City of Pickering
905.420.4660 ext. 2028
nhann@pickering.ca

Lori Bowers, Director of Community Services and Communications
Township of Scugog
Phone: 905-985-7346
Email: lbowers@scugog.ca

Sierra Miller, Communications Officer
Township of Uxbridge
Phone: 905-852-9181 x 509
Email: smiller@uxbridge.ca

Erin Mikaluk, Manager, Communications and Creative Services
Town of Whitby
Phone: 289-314-6913
Email: mikaluke@whitby.ca

Melanie Correia, Director of Corporate Partnerships and Communications
Feed the Need in Durham
Phone: 905-571-3863
Email: melanie@FTND.ca