Greater Hamilton Food Share

Overview

The Greater Hamilton Food Share, operating as Hamilton Food Share, is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating hunger in the Hamilton community. Registered with the Canadian business number 136957958RR0001, it functions as the central hub for Hamilton's Emergency Food Network.

History

Hamilton Food Share was established in 1990 (or 1992, according to some sources), with the mission of creating a hunger-free community through collective efforts. Over the years, it has grown to become a pivotal organization in managing and distributing food to those in need.

Mission and Values

• Mission: Hamilton Food Share works toward ensuring everyone has access to safe and nutritious food, striving for a community free from hunger.
• Values: The organization emphasizes the importance of privacy and dignity for individuals struggling with poverty. It values integrity, fairness, and honesty among its volunteers and staff. Partnerships are built on respect, trust, and openness, while encouraging and celebrating community generosity.

Operations

Hamilton Food Share acts as the emergency food shipping and receiving hub, coordinating the emergency food systems for its network. It distributes industrial-scale food resources to various hunger relief agencies, ensuring equitable access to nutritious food for people in poverty. The organization prioritizes the delivery of fresh and frozen food items, alongside non-perishable goods, to support healthy meal options.

Most of the food is donated by local wholesalers and farmers, with some purchased in bulk at discounted prices. Community food drives and special events also contribute to its resources.

Impact

In recent years, Hamilton Food Share has distributed nearly 4 million pounds of nutritious food annually. This effort supports over 17,500 individuals who visit food banks each month, with a significant proportion being children. The organization's model allows each dollar donated to provide approximately $5 worth of food.

Hamilton Food Share supports 23 emergency food programs run by 16 member agencies, addressing the daily needs of over 1,117 individuals seeking food assistance. According to their reports, the organization has made a significant impact in addressing hunger, with a notable portion of their distributed food being fresh.

Recognition

Hamilton Food Share is recognized as a financially transparent and effective charity. It holds a 5-star rating from Charity Intelligence Canada and is included in the Top 100 Rated Charities for its demonstrated impact and strong results reporting.

In summary, the Greater Hamilton Food Share plays a critical role in combating hunger and ensuring food security for vulnerable populations in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.