Fresh and Healthy Food
GBF Food Bank
The cornerstone of client services at GBF is the provision of healthy nutritional choices. We offer clients the opportunity to shop in a grocery store-like atmosphere using a system based on points. Clients choose from nonperishable goods, household cleaning products, personal hygiene products, fresh bread, milk, and produce as well as a selection of meat and frozen prepared meals.
We are working to improve the quality of food we share by providing and encouraging donations of fresh, healthy choices for our clients. We understand individuals can have different dietary needs and sensitivities. In addition to our regular items, we offer products that are low-sodium, sugar-free, and gluten-free. Reusable shopping bags are provided to clients on their first shopping visit to GBF. A crockpot is also provided on the first visit to encourage healthy meal preparation and compliment the Monthly Meal Program.
Milk is an integral part of a child’s development and in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Our food bank offers milk so every family can benefit from including milk in their diet. Our dairy selections include fresh eggs and margarine.
With the help of our community partners, our food bank includes fresh bread choices on a daily basis. Clients are encouraged to stop in to pick up bread between monthly shopping visits.
GBF is proud to include healthy meat choices in our food bank, allowing clients to benefit from a well-rounded diet. We offer a full selection of beef, pork, and chicken as well as prepared frozen meat-based meals.
GBF understands the importance of celebrating holidays with special meals. We offer hampers with complete meals including dessert for our families at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Our Easter hampers provide families with a ham dinner and chocolate Easter bunnies for the children in the family.
Thanksgiving hampers include a turkey with all the trimmings.
Extra special care is shown to our clients at Christmas time. We provide all of the ingredients for a delicious Christmas turkey dinner as well as supplying special gifts. Our Christmas hampers include gifts for the whole family, a special Christmas treat bag, a toiletries package, and new items for the household.
GBF Community Services has partnered with the Grimsby Farmer’s Market to offer our clients fresh local produce. We want our clients to enjoy the bounty of what is locally grown.
We can’t forget about our four-legged friends! Families with pets can be assured that with the help of our community partners, GBF carries pet food and supplies for our furry or feathered loved ones. Food safety is foundational to our operations.
How To Get Food
What To Expect
Our food bank is located at 40 Elm Street, Grimsby. It is coordinated by our dedicated staff and volunteers.
We recognize that if you require the services of a food bank, you are likely experiencing difficulties in your life. Our food bank creates a welcoming environment for those who visit us to access assistance. In order to make your experience positive, our staff and volunteers create an environment of mutual respect, compassion for all our clients.
You do not need an appointment to seek assistance at the Grimsby Benevolent Fund.
Please visit us during the hours of operations.
Our food bank is set up as a client choice facility. This means you will be allocated a certain number of points, and you will be able to shop to that maximum. Diapers and formulas are available for those families that require them. We do our best to ensure supplies are stocked to allow all clients the same supplies on each visit.
We do understand that it can be difficult to seek help. We speak to all clients privately and confidentially regarding their financial and personal situation. We do remind all our clients that anyone of us could come into a difficult time and that is why our food bank is here to help. We are so glad that we have the resources to be able to make a difference in someone's life. Visit today or call if you need assistance at (905) 309-5664 ext. 21.
You will receive 7 days of nutritious food per month. This will include canned, packaged products, fresh food such as produce, fruit, milk, eggs, and meat products. Special arrangements can be made for a short period if you require weekly or bi-weekly shopping.
Eligibility
We are here to help!
Anyone in need and living in Grimsby is eligible to use the food bank. Your first visit will entail a needs and eligibility assessment where client status is determined. Our food bank coordinator will ask to see proof of residency in Grimsby, proof of the family, or individual's monthly income and monthly housing expenses.
Required Documents
Annual Recertification: Takes place annually with each individual and or family that requires the services of the food bank. When you visit the food bank, please bring all of the following documents:
-
Recertification form
-
Proof of residency in Grimsby
-
Identification with name and mailing address for all adults in the family. If you have children, please bring identification (showing name and birth date) such as a birth certificate or passport for each child.
-
Proof of monthly income: Ontario Works statement, payslip, child tax credit, employment insurance statement and/or bank statement, rent receipt, lease agreement or mortgage statement, and utility bills
-
Other expenses you wish to share such as childcare, travel expenses to work, etc.
Contact Us
Located: at 40 Elm Street, Grimsby, ON
Phone: (905) 309-5664 ext. 21
Hours of Operations: Tuesday to Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm
Contact Us
Located: at 40 Elm Street
Grimsby, ON
Phone: (905) 309-5664 ext. 21
Hours of Operations: Tuesday to Friday 10:00am to 2:00pm