Donate Food Or Money
Your support keeps our shelves full and our neighbours nourished. Online donations allow us to buy fresh, essential foods, while food donations can be given directly at the Food Bank, through community bins, or by organizing your own Food Drive.
Donating Money:
We welcome one-time donations, and they help tremendously, but what truly helps create a sustainable future for the Food Bank, is setting up a recurring monthly donation. Even small monthly donations create an ongoing support-stream for us to keep battling food insecurity in our community. We’ll send you a tax receipt for your financial contribution over $XX.00.
Your financial gift allows us to:
- Purchase items they are short on
- Buy in bulk at discounted prices
- Cover transportation and operational costs
- Maintain cold storage for perishables
Donating money in-person at the Food Bank:
We accept cash, cheques, Visa and Debit donations at our office at 1026 Fisher Street.
Our business hours are:
Mondays & Tuesdays: 9am – 5pm
Wednesdays: 9am- 6pm and Fridays 9am – 3pm.
Electronic Donations:
You can send Electronic Funds Transfer to [email protected], or donate online.
Donating Food:
You can make donations directly at the Food Bank and also at our Community Partner Bins across the city. Please see our FAQs below, as some items can only be donated at the Food Bank.
Frequent Asked Questions
What can I donate at the Food Bank?
We can accept non-perishable food items, fresh, newly purchased or grown fruits and vegetables, personal hygiene, baby items, monetary & gift card donations.
What can I donate at the Community Partner Bins?
At our bins we accept non-perishable food items, personal hygiene and baby items, but NOT fresh fruits and vegetables or monetary & gift card donations.
Are there any items I should avoid donating?
Yes, please avoid:
- Opened or damaged packages
- Expired food – Any Food past it’s Expiry Date (Please note this is different than the Best Before date, see below)
- Homemade preserves and baking
- Perishable foods unless explicitly accepted
Can I donate items past the stated Best Before date?
We can accept non-perishables with Best Before dates no older than 1 year past the current date listed on the item. Please note this is different from the Expiry Date.
These are suggestions for our most needed items:
- Canned vegetables, fruits, and beans
- Pasta, rice, and boxed grains
- Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)
- Peanut butter
- Shelf-stable milk or plant-based milk (UHT)
- Pasta sauce and canned soups
- Cereal and oatmeal
- Baby food and formula (must be unopened and not expired)
Can I donate frozen meat or dairy products?
No these are items we can not accept from the general public.
Can I donate homegrown fruits or vegetables?
We can accept these items at the Food Bank, but not at our community partner drop off bins – as long as the fruits and vegetables are clean, fresh, and not moldy or damaged.
Every Ounce Counts
Remember, EVERY donation matters.
We welcome one-time donations, and they help tremendously, but what truly helps create a sustainable future for the Food Bank, is setting up a recurring monthly donation. Even small monthly donations create an ongoing support-stream for us to keep battling food insecurity in our community.
You’re about to make our community a better place! We can’t do it without you. Please use our convenient online donation portal to make your commitment today.
This is what your $10 Donation could look like
This is what your $20 Donation could look like
This is what your $100 Donation could look like
Become a Volunteer Today
Community help and support is the only way that we can continue to feed North Bay.
The North Bay Food Bank depends deeply on the support of volunteers to help us achieve our mission. Please consider joining our volunteer team – you’ll help those in need in our community and have fun doing it!