Did You Know?
In 2023, a whopping 43.09% of the total needs category in Thunder Bay, ON, and the surrounding region is related to food/meals. That amounts to 5,223 contact reports for those in need.
Compared to the same time-frame in 2022, this is up from 34.58% in this need category and a total of 4,509 contact reports.
Source: https://211ontario.ca/211-data/bi/
*Data shown is current as of September 26, 2023.
Food Banks & Referrals
| Organization | Description | Phone Number | Website | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regional Food Distribution Association of Northwestern Ontario (RFDA) | Provides food to city and regional food banks. | 807-622-7440 | rfdacentre@tbaytel.net | https://www.foodbanksnorthwest.ca/ | Must be a food bank with a charitable number. |
| Thunder Bay Food Bank | Operates a food bank. | 807-626-9231 | TBayfoodbank@gmail.com | http://www.thunderbayfoodbank.com/ | Must be registered through 211. Limit of once every two weeks. |
| The Salvation Army | Offers food hampers to registered people in need of food assistance. | 807-345-7319 | Cathy_Oleschuk@can.salvationarmy.org | https://www.journeytolifecentre.com/ | Must be registered through 211. |
| Elevate NWO | Operates a weekly food bank. Provides non-perishable and small amounts of perishable food items (based on donations). | 807-345-1516 | info@elevatenwo.org | https://elevatenwo.org/ | Individuals who have been active with Elevate NWO within the last 6 months. |
| Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre | Operates a food bank for individuals in the community. | 807-345-5840 | info@tbifc.ca | https://tbifc.ca/ | No restrictions. |
| Confederation College (Food Bank) | Operates a confidential emergency food bank for Confederation College students. | 807-475-6237 (SUCCI) | succi@confederationcollege.ca | https://www.confederationcollege.ca/student-life/succi-services/emergency-food-bank | Must be a full or part-time student of Confederation College in need of food. |
| Lakehead University Student Union (LUSU Food Resource Centre and The Pantry) | The Food Resource Centre offers 3 levels of support around accessing food resources on campus for all Lakehead University students, enrolled either full or part-time. | 807-343-8010 Ext 8850 | frc@lusu.ca | https://www.lusu.ca/food | All Lakehead University students (full or part-time). Limit of one bag of food per month or two bags if student has dependents. Students can apply for additional assistance in case of emergency by emailing frc@lusu.ca. |
| Our Kids Count (Emergency Food Cupboard) | Provides an emergency food hamper for families that can be accessed once a month. Provides food for two days that may include fresh produce, milk, and bread if available. | 807-623-0292 Ext 228 | info@ourkidscount.ca | https://www.ourkidscount.ca/ | Individuals and families with young children who require emergency food relief. Can be accessed once a month. |
| The Losier Centre (Emergency Food Hampers) | Provides food hampers in emergency situations. | 807-622-7686 (Church) | info@tbayfmc.ca | https://www.tbayfmc.ca/ | Call during operating hours to determine food hamper availability. Masks and social distancing mandatory. |
Free / Low-Cost Meals
| Organization | Description | Phone Number | Website | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Salvation Army (Soup Van) | Operates a mobile food program, serving hot, nutritious meals every day of the year. | 807-345-7319 | Cathy_Oleschuk@can.salvationarmy.org | https://www.journeytolifecentre.com/ | Must be registered through 211. |
| Urban Abbey | Offers a free daily lunch consisting of soup and breads. Provides a weekly supper on Saturday evening. Accepts donations of fresh produce, non-perishables, and dairy items. | 807-768-8923 | tbayabbey@gmail.com | http://www.urbanabbey.ca/ | No restrictions. |
| St Andrew's Dew Drop Inn | Bagged lunch available from 9 am-3:30 pm; Take-home or sit down hot meal provided from 12:30 pm-3:30 pm - observe physical distancing; masks are required for everyone entering the building. | 807-346-0809 | standrewddi@tbaytel.net | https://www.dewdropinnthunderbay.ca/ | No restrictions. |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Thunder Bay (Child Nutrition Programs) | Offers the following: - Breakfast Clubs - Healthy Snacks - Supper Program - Cooking Classes | 807-623-0354 | https://tbayboysandgirlsclub.org/ | info@tbayboysandgirlsclub.org | Breakfast Clubs are available to all children attending the following schools: St Ann, St Jude, St Elizabeth, Corpus Christi, Claude Garton, Algonquin, Vance Chapman and St Pius X. Snack and supper programs available to children attending programs at Vale and Windsor locations. |
| Grace Place | Provides the following free of charge: - Coffee, tea - Homemade meals (daily 1 pm-4 pm) | 807-473-3538 | graceplacetbay@gmail.com | https://www.graceplacethunderbay.com/ | No restrictions. |
School Meal Programs
| Organization | Description | Phone Number | Website | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Grocery Foundation | Food program for school children. Provides nutritious food through Ontario schools for hungry kids. Services are provided directly to elementary and high school students. | 416-515-0845 | admin@groceryfoundation.com | https://groceryfoundation.com/ | Elementary and high school students attending participating schools. |
| Isthmus Thunder Bay (Student Weekend Meal Program) | Supports children and families who do not have enough food to eat. Provides children with a bag of food to take to their families on the weekend. Partners with Our Kids Count and the RFDA to provide food to children and families in Thunder Bay schools. | 807-626-2923 | N/A | https://www.facebook.com/isthmusthunderbay/ | Children and families in need of extra food. |
| Ginoogaming First Nation | Weekly lunch program for elementary and high school students at the Health Centre. Annual vouchers at Christmas for a turkey for all community elders and band members. | 807-876-1660 (Training Centre) | savannah.neotapin@ginoogamingfn.ca | http://www.ginoogamingfn.ca/ | Members of Ginoogaming First Nation. Individual does not have to be on social assistance to benefit from program. |
Other Resources
For information about other resources in our community, please visit our Resources page.
Wish to share more resources with us? Please email empowerthenorth@gmail.com.