Wellington Foodbank seeks new home, due to lack of space and increased demand
Administrator | Jul 23, 2025 | Comments 0
Volunteers at the Storehouse Foodbank basement
By Sharon Harrison
“In 2022, foodbank use in Prince Edward County increased by 26 per cent: the number of families served has increased every year since 2021,” noted Cynthia Riordon, Wellington and District Storehouse Foodbank president. “People are going hungry.”
With an increase in demand for its services, and a space that is too small, inefficient and inaccessible for its needs, it has long been known the Wellington and District Storehouse Foodbank (known as the Storehouse) would eventually have to seek new premises to keep functioning effectively within the community it serves.
Front door entrance at Storehouse Foodbank
It currently operates out of the basement of the Wellington Pentecostal Church at 304 Niles Street in Wellington – since 2007 when founder Linda Downey opened it with husband Robert, a County volunteer firefighter. Since, the Foodbank has become inadequate to meet the growing needs of the volunteer-run registered charity due to a lack of space, storage and loading issues, and just room to move around. Along with the many community volunteers that make the Foodbank work, it also gets help from countless local organizations, businesses, farms and individuals.
Riordon addressed council at Tuesday evening’s regular meeting and indicated how the ability to provide support is limited by the physical space and resources, and explained the need for a new home.
Riordon’s deputation provided an update to council on the situation, to provide information and awareness about the Storehouse vision, and outline what steps they have taken thus far to ensure a new future for the Foodbank. They also noted how they are in discussions with the Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation regarding interest in a property on Niles Street.
If they are not able to pursue the piece of property on Niles Street, they are on the lookout for a suitable property or building or land that might suit their needs, some 5,000-square-feet of space on two to three acres, ideally.
Riordon explained they have the resources, but need the land, and they have $1 million in initial capital secured from a private donor, a generous benefactor wishing to leave a legacy gift, along with fundraising leadership from the Rotary Club of Wellington with whom they have partnered.
“We’ve got the right team to help us execute the vision into reality,” she said.
Speaking to four key points, Riordon noted the need in the community for a new foodbank, along with it providing a direct benefit to the community, where they have available funds together with a team, partnerships and community support in order to execute the vision for the project.
“We have the resources, we need the land. We have a lot of the pieces of the puzzle, it’s all coming together, the synergy, the partnerships, so we are trying to share the vision and let the community be aware that this is something great we can do for our community.”
She also noted that architect Bill Hurst has created two or three designs for a new Storehouse space, and a building contractor has been secured to help design and build the new facility.
Outlining a timeline for the project, she said they would like to see land secured and building approval, along with a community-wide food security education campaign begin this summer. The fall would bring community engagement, the project announcement and the launch of the fundraising campaign.
Late 2025/early 2026, they will secure approvals, prepare the site for build, with on-going community engagement and fundraising, with fundraising to continue through 2026. The build is expected to be completed and ready to open its doors to the public in early 2027.
Riordon described it as a “hopeful” timeline, “as there is a sense of urgency with Rotary wanting to take on a new project, and this being their project of choice”.
“This is a big piece of the puzzle actually, a thoughtfully-designed space to reduce stigma and promote choice, respect and community connection,” said Riordon. “The new Foodbank design is based on something from Foodbanks Canada which is a shopping model and we wouldn’t give them the prepared boxes, they would actually shop for what they want.”
She said their goal is to change from the current model to a shopping model where there is more dignity and choice. She noted that the Picton Foodbank has just started using the new shopping model, and it is working well, and the clients have indicated they like it.
“In Canada, since 2019, foodbanks have seen a 90 per cent increase in need in their various communities, but what is so special about this community is that we are going to do something about it, so I am really proud of you,” exclaimed councillor Bill Roberts. “You bring excitement and passion to it, and I am sure you will succeed.”
“A new, centrally-located foodbank ensures increased access with no resident is left behind, especially those without reliable transportation,” Riordan added.
She also spoke to integrated services beyond emergency food, such as linkages to a common food storage area for community food providers and other community supports in one location, providing better access for deliveries and for clients. Also, community resilience which “strengthens food systems by creating opportunities for local food donations, volunteerism and partnerships with farms, schools, and churches”.
Speaking to increasing awareness, she said, “too many people in our community are shocked to learn the extent of this problem”.
“There is no power for greater change than a community discovering what it most cares about, and I know we care about the health and well-being of the residents of Prince Edward County,” expressed Riordon. “Part of our strategic planning, part of our vision, and I know sometimes people don’t think of the Foodbank, we are sort of underground and not there, but hidden away, but we need to bring that more into dignified, respected place where we know that neighbours helping neighbours, and neighbours caring for others in our community.“
“It takes a village and many villagers, and we are just grateful for all the support,” she added. “We are really gung-ho, and we are really excited and have a lot of people excited about the project; we want to make this change, for the health and wellness and the well-being of our community.”
On Sept. 6, the Wellington and District Storehouse Foodbank will be holding a benefit fundraising concert at the Regent Theatre to kick-off the campaign, but also to bring awareness to the project. “This is a major fundraiser and we hope for a sell-out to support the initiative”.
STATISTICS
Providing some statistics, it was noted that one in four households (23 per cent) in the Hastings Prince Edward area are food insecure – compared to the provincial average of 17.4 per cent. This equates to roughly 2,600 County households, approximately 5,700 County residents, who are potentially affected by marginal to severe levels of food insecurity.
Riordon said these numbers could well be higher as some people may not be in the research, may not be willing to identify, or be captured in the numbers.
The Storehouse was founded in 2007, where its mission is to collect and distribute food for people in need in the Wellington and the surrounding area, essentially the western half of the County (Bloomfield to Carrying Place).
They provide food boxes, toiletries, diapers and resources to assist people to attain a better quality of life, as well as to educate the community on poverty issues.
“Last year, we served over 4,500 individuals, a 35 per cent year-over-year increase. Of that number, 60 per cent are families with children (includes 150 children, under the age of 18), and 40 per cent are seniors or individuals.
“So things are really changing at our Foodbank.”
They have 20-plus volunteers (seniors and students among them) that dedicate over 700 hours per month to maintain the service, and that excludes special events such as fundraising, cram the cruiser, backpacks, Christmas angel trees, etc.
She said they have been doing a lot of data collection and data research on who is food insecure and going hungry over the last few years and collecting information from people with lived experience, “so that we can actually hear from people who are going through tough times and challenging times”.
FOODBANK USE
Explaining how Foodbank use in Prince Edward County increased by 26 per cent in 2002, Riordon said things changed with COVID, where they saw a big change especially after people had received CERB (the Canada Emergency Response Benefit), the government’s temporary income support program that many qualified for at the time in response to the pandemic.
“At that time, they had money to purchase food, but after that there was increasing demand at our Foodbank, we saw the numbers going up,” she explained. “Then we were very aware of the inequities between society and different things happening and the challenges and the difficult times that people were facing, and we were needing to come together to help others.”
While some foodbanks in the province have had to close or reduce what they provide, she said this is not the case in Wellington.
“We are fortunate in Wellington that we have a generous community and generous donors and we are able to provide the same amount or even more today; we are just feel happy that we can help people with that fresh food option, and, of course, other things, but it makes you feel good from the heart.”
She spoke to how relationships are built with their clients, trust too and comfort.
“We have to be that safe place for those people who need to trust in someone to help them at a really vulnerable point in their life, so it does take a lot for them to come to the Foodbank.”
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