On Saturday, April 2, 2022 DRPS and Loblaws Pickering Market CRAMMED A CRUISER to collect much need food items on behalf of our food bank.  Thank you to everyone who donated  groceries and a special thanks to DRPS Aux PC GALLAGHER (left), Aux PC SINGH (right), Aux PC GAZO (not pictured). 

Victory Neighbourhood Services Inc. provides local services for children and youth. See below.

Kids share their Birthdays with the Food Bank!

Instead of presents these kids asked for donations to the food bank.

Top: Coltan's 10th birthday celebration with all the food he collected during his Driveway Food Drive

Lower right: Alice  (with Margaret Jocz) donated $60.00 of her birthday money to the food bank.  The $60 will be used to buy food snacks for other kids in the area.   

Lower left: Daniel and Elizabeth donate baby formula every year so that babies who are born around the same time as them have food to eat in case they are hungry. 

 Your Jazz Night raised $6125 for the food bank.  What a wonderful night of dazzling virtuosity! Thank you to to all the talented performers and behind the scenes volunteers who made it possible. You can see more pictures from the event here.

Congratulations Knights of Columbus, St. Isaac Jogues, Pickering on anather successful pasta dinner and Bingo night. Thank you for your ongoing support.

                                              "Great to be able support our community partners                                                          at St. Paul’s on the Hill Community Foodbank with a Cheque for $ 500.00!"

Spring & Summer 2018

July 26th at Glen Cedars Golf Club 

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 8^th annual golf tournament organized by the Pickering Squash Club.  The money raised goes towards purchasing food items that we need throughout the year.  Our shelves are often bare during the summer months especially for items such as cereal, milk, eggs, tea and coffee.  The funds allow us to purchase what we need when we need it.  When we buy as we need, we have better control of food quality and we do not need to worry about warehouse storage. This year the golf tournament raised over $9000.

Here are some of the ways our community supporters help the food bank......

ALLAN’S YIG CUSTOMERS ARE TOPS!!

Thank you to all the customers who donated money to the food bank and in particular to Tyler and Karrie Allan for matching the donations made by their AWESOME customers.  The food bank greatly appreciates all the support we receive from Allan’s YIG customers and owners throughout the year.  

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

The  Pickering Islamic Centre invites YOU to its 2^nd Annual Christmas Luncheon.  This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and share a traditional Christmas dinner with all the fixings. 

Date:  Sunday, December 18, 2016 @ 2 p.m.

Place:  Pickering Islamic Centre, 2065 Brock Road N, Pickering

RSVP:  Shaheen Butt 416-402-6594   or email   ssbutt@sympatico.ca

Click here for details (Flyer)

Knights of Columbus Pasta Bingo 2016

Here is your chance to enjoy a pasta dinner, play BINGO and support local charities in your community.  The third Saturday of each month join others at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Churh at 5:45 for dinner and BINGO at 7:00.  Saturday mass begins at 4:30 p.m.

October’s game is in support of St. Isaac Jogues’ Refugee Committee and in November, the support comes to St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank.  Click here for more information about this fun event.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for hosting this fund raising event and all the support they provide to our food bank and the community throughout the year.

On a very WET August day, 96+ brave souls set out to raise funds for our food bank at Annandale Golf Course.  See the note below by organizers Bruce, Joy and Kyla.  Thank you to everyone who participated and raised funds for your local food bank.  Below is a portion of the letter sent by Bruce to his golfers……….

“Thank you one and ALL!! WE DID IT!! We raised over $4400 for our deserving Pickering/Ajax community and St. Paul's on the Hill Food Bank... Rain or shine WE did it!   :)

Words fall short in thanking all of you who golfed (or tried to, lol), Sponsored, Donated, Participated, and Passed on the Bay Ridges 1st Golf Tournament, through the grape vine resulting in such successful, fun and meaningful day. Thank you for all your contributions and assistants!

Pickering Sqash Club Golf Tournament July 21 in support of St. Paul's on-the-Hill Food Bank

 $10,943.00 raised for your food bank!

Thank you Pickering Squash Club for sponsoring the golf day in support of St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Food Bank.  This is the 7^th year that the Sqash Club has organized this great golf day and donated the proceeds to the food bank’s operating expenses.  123 golfers enjoyed a (hot) round of golf, BBQ lunch and roast beef dinner.

Investors Group Financial, Pickering provided refreshing Ceasars to the golfers and also held a chipping contest.  Money raised from the contest was donated to the food bank.  Thank you Gina Love and your team for your contribution again this year.

No golf tournament can be a success without the support of the community and hole sponsors.  

June 2016 

Pickering fire fighters lend a hand

Fire fighters from several Pickering stations showed up at Allan's Independent to slug boxes of food and deliver the order to the food bank.  Thanks to everyone for the help!

April 2016 

March 2016

December 2015 

Thanks to Tyler & Karrie Allan of Allan's Independent and their customers for the very generous donation of $9,669.58 collected during the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.  Instead of collecting food donations this year, customers were asked to make monetary donations which were matched by the store owners.  The response was incredible with customers donating $4834.79 in just 9 days!  Accepting the cheque on behalf of the food bank (below left to right) Janet Laughlin, Janet Herrera and Margaret Jocz.  To see a video of this occasion please click here.

We are so grateful for the fantastic support from Allan's Independent.  We could not continue to operate without the solid support of our community. 

November 2015 

SPAGHETTI DINNER & BINGO!! for the FOOD BANK.

On the last Saturday of each month The Knights of Columbus have a spaghetti & bingo night with the proceeds supporting local charities.

                                    Our night is Saturday, November 28

 Location:  St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church (Hall)

                  1148 Finch Ave, Pickering

Time:        Dinner @ 5:30.   (after the Mass @ 4:30)

Cost:         Dinner & 1 Bingo Strip Package  $15.00

                  Dinner, 2 Bingo Strips & 1 Toonie Draw Package  $20.00                                               

Note:  Must be 18 or over to play Bingo.  Children are welcome for dinner.  Supervised activities will be available.

September 2015 

It is hard to believe that the summer is over and the kids are going back to school.  We have been so busy at the food bank we have not had a chance to tell you what has been happening.

In May, we received a Group Service Award from the City of Pickering.  This award is presented to members of the community for outstanding service and achievements during the past year.   We are honoured to have our service to the community acknowledged and we proudly display the medallion and certificate in the food bank reception area.

July 16^th was the date of our 6^th annual golf tournament at Glen Cedar Golf Course.  This year our major partner/supporter was Investors Group Financial and with them and many other dedicated supporters and golfers we raised $16,600. for the operation of the food bank.  Over the past 6 years, this event has raised $73,500.  Click here for the link to see pictures (thank you SNAP) of this very important day.

Summer means gardening and we are so pleased that there are many gardeners  in the community who remember the food bank and donate fresh produce throughout the growing season.  We receive fresh caliloo, spinach, beans, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, zuchinni and MORE every week.  Thank you for your green thumbs.   Special thanks to Whitby-Ajax Community Gardens, Nautilus Gardens/OPG/ and everyone who drops off veggies to us. Your generosity is appreciated.

That is the good news…now the not so good.  

Thanksgiving is our next holiday food drive and we hope you will show your gratitude for what you have by sharing with those who have less.  But please do not wait until Thanksgiving to share; we need the food now.  So visit our Needed Items page and make a purchase when you shop for your family.  You can drop off small amounts of food in our bins at participating grocery stores in Pickering and Ajax (see the list).  Larger donations may be dropped off at our site location (1535 Pickering Parkway). To make arrangements please contact us by email for instructions.

June 2015

SUMMER IS HERE

Summer is here and the kids are home from school.  This means that they will have their heads in the fridge and cupboards looking for food ALL day.  In many homes that is not a problem but when you are experiencing food insecurity it is. 

The food bank is also experiencing food insecurity.  Our shelves are becoming spare to bare.  No peanut butter, canned spaghetti, and much more.  It is amazing to think back to Christmas time when our food bank was full to bursting with food donations.  But after the Christmas rush, donations start to dwindle and very little comes in to restock our shelves.  This requires us to reduce the amount of food we provide to families so we can stretch out the stock and wait for the next big food drive…that would be Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile we shop at local grocery stores to refill our shelves using money donated throughout the year.  In 2015 we have already spent  approx. $5000.00 on groceries.  We regularly buy milk and eggs but we have also had to purchase cereal, canned fruit, canned pasta, stew, peanut butter, crackers, cookies , tea,  coffee, sugar and rice.  (We never have to buy Kraft Dinner!).

Please don’t forget the food bank this summer and donate when you are able.  If you are planning a food drive, visit our current needs page and contact us about delivery.

Thank you for your support and have a great summer!

 We are 25!!!

In 1990, many families in Pickering and Ajax were feeling the adverse effects of a widespread economic recession.  As a temporary measure, members of St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Church decided they could help families in the community by opening a food bank.  Prior to that date the food bank was operated through Dunbarton-Fairport United Church.

It was intended to be temporary but unfortunately we are still operating and over the years, the number of people relying on the food bank has continued to grow.  In 2014 we served 3500 families representing 9750 people.

Through the years, the community has supported us by donating food, organizing food drives and providing financial support.  Even though the food bank is run entirely by volunteers, money is still required in order to operate.  Our annual operating expense of approximately $65,000 covers rent, perishable food (milk, eggs and potatoes each week) and general operating expenses.

This year we are faced with another challenge.  We have outgrown our current space and we need to decide if we can renovate our site to meet our needs or find other solutions.  Our preference is to stay where we are since our location at Parkway Storage provides many advantages.  But whatever changes are made will require funding so we are starting a fund raising campaign for this purpose. 

Our major event will take place on Thursday July 16, 2015.  St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Food Bank 6^th Annual Golf Tournament will be held at Glen Cedar Golf Club, Pickering (click for details).  You can be a golfer, a hole sponsor or make a donation of any amount. 

On behalf of our clients, the Food Bank executive and our faithful volunteers, thank you for helping us help local families in food crisis.

March 2015 

March 13 was a busy day at the food bank.  It was crowded and noisy with clients coming in for food assistance before the March Break.  The kids will be home all week and hungry ALL day.  This puts added stress on the food budget and the many moms who depend on the food bank to feed their kids.  Thank you for your help by donating healthy food to our food banks.

Amongst all the mayhem was a happy story.   William had his 5^th birthday last week and instead of asking for toys and presents, he asked his friends to bring food for the food bank.  William learned about sharing from school and his parents and on Friday he and his younger brother helped his dad deliver boxes of food.  Thank you William for your kind and generous heart.  Happy Birthday!

If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or any special occasion, please consider following William’s example and ask friends and family to donate to a food bank instead of you!

Happy Easter

December 2014 

September 2014 

May 2014 

 Pickering Cares held its 5^th annual food drive on Saturday May 10^th.  This one day event collected 8000 lbs. of food which was shared between us and House of Hope Food Bank in Ajax.  Thank you to the organizers at Amberlea Presbyterian Church, members of the community for their donations and all of the volunteers who worked so hard collecting, sorting and delivering the food to the food banks.

April 2014 

 No matter how successful a food drive is or how generous people are with donations, we always need something.  This year’s Christmas donations were so abundant that I thought for sure we would be able to manage until the spring.  Well, spring is here and some of our shelves are getting bare. 

If you are planning an Easter Food Drive or making a donation at your local grocery store, please see our Current Needs page for suggestions.  We are in desperate need of canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned pasta (alpha-getti), pasta sauce (no dry pasta please) peanut butter, and luncheon snacks (granola bars, etc.)

In the first quarter of 2014 there has been a 19 %  increase in the number of people turning to the food bank compared to 2013. Please remember those who need help within your community. 

Two Food Bank stories:

Jonah is 8 yrs old.  He created origami animals and sold them to friends and family.  He raised over $55.00 and brought the money to the food bank.  The money was used to buy school snacks for children.

Jack celebrated his 8^th birthday but he did not want gifts for himself.  Thirty friends and family members wished Jack a happy birthday by donating needed items to the food bank.

What thoughtful kids!

January 2014 

October 2013 

September 2013

Brooklin Outdoor Movie Night for Hunger 

This event was held on September 6.  It was a HUGE success with an estimated 1500 people in attendance and 70 large bins collected totaling over 3000 lbs of food for the food bank.  Special thanks to:Cheryl Gordon, Joanna Haber and all the volunteers and participants who made this event such a great success.  Thank you so much!

 July 2013

Official opening of the 2013 Farmers Market at Pickering Town Centre.

MAY 2013 

Pickering Cares 4th Annual Food Drive 

A big THANK YOU to Pickering Cares organizers and volunteers for another very successful food drive.  

An even bigger THANK YOU goes out to the residents of Pickering who continue to support our local food bank. This year you donated over 6,000 pounds of food on behalf your neighbours who need food assistance. 

We are truly grateful.

New Community Partners

St. Paul’s on-the-Hill Community Food Bank welcomes Sun Life Financial and The Works Burger Bistro as our newest community partners.  Both companies are supporting the food bank with food drives and contributing to other events.

JANUARY 2013 

A big “thank you” to the community for its strong support throughout the year but particularly during the Christmas season.  Thanks to the numerous food drives that took place in December we have enough food to last us for several months.  

2012 saw an 18% increase in food bank use over the previous year.  Since 2002 we have experienced a growth of 47%.  The following chart compares the numbers of people we assisted in each year.  Unfortunately, the need for the food bank is not diminishing so your continued support is greatly appreciated.

The food bank currently has over 35 dedicated volunteers who donate many hours of service to the people of Pickering-Ajax.  In December they contributed over 600 volunteer hours.  Thank you. 

DECEMBER 2012

December is our busiest month of the year.  Donations are received from community schools, sports teams, local businesses and individuals.  Just to give you an idea of who helps the food bank here are some of food drives running December:

Wright's Lights

The Wright family lights up their front yard for Christmas while collecting food and financial donations for the Food Bank. In 2011 they raised roughly $7,000 and 3500 pounds of food. Congratulations to the Wright family and thank you for your support.

Scanga Family Food Drive

You may have seen the article in the Nov 30^th NewsAdvertiser about this food drive that runs from Dec 2 to 23.  Please look for their donation boxes int the stores located at 3 Harwood Ave S.in  Ajax and in other stores in the Ajax-Pickering area.  A BIG thank you to Nino Scanga, Andy Scanga and all of their helpers.

Kill the Messenger

This local band is hosting a food drive at their show on Sat. December 8^th at the Top Shelf, 527 Westney Rd S, Ajax. Thanks to the band for helping out in their community.

NOVEMBER 2012

Food Bank Stats

The Food Bank extends grateful thanks to the community for its generous and ongoing support.  We appreciate the donations of food and money that allow us to serve the many needy families in our community.

The number of people who require emergency food assistance is growing each month.  The chart below compares the activity in 2011 to 2012 for the period from June to October.  In 2012 the total number of people fed has increased by 20% and the number of new registrants is up by over 50%.

Your children are watching….

In many homes and at school, children copy what they see and hear. We are fortunate to have so many of our local schools who support the food bank by running food drives. At school the children learn about the needs in their community and are happy to share but some really take it to heart.  Here are two such cases:

One little girl was planning her 6^th birthday party and she asked her guests to contribute $2.00 each and bring some canned goods for the food bank.  After the party she came to the food bank and donated over $75.00. 

The second young girl also wanted to do a fundraiser.  Her school was already organizing a food drive for us but she wanted to do more.  She held a bake sale and with help from Mom she made cupcakes and sold them to her friends at a dance studio and at her school.  Another $100.00 was donated to the food bank.

Thank you to the parents who supported the girls and encouraged them to help people in their community.

The Rotary Club of Pickering

On Wed. Nov 14^th the Rotary Club of Pickering held their annual Community Celebration Event and we were presented with a cheque.  Thank you to the members of the Rotary Club of Pickering for your support of our food bank and the many other agencies that serve the communities of Pickering – Ajax.

SEPTEMBER 2012

Summer Report

We have been very busy serving clients this summer since we were only open on Tuesdays through July and August. Serving so many people in a 2 hour/week window has proved to be very stressful.  In future, we have decided to remain open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 AM to Noon, year round (holidays excepted) since more and more people are relying on food supplements.  The increase in need is evident in the following chart comparing June - August 2011 to 2012.

                               New Registrants                Total Clients Served

            2011                     22                                         521

            2012                     37                                         658  

Pickering Town Centre

The Farmer's Market has been going strong every Tuesday through the summer. Even the heavy rains which only seem to show up on Tuesdays, have not dampened the enthusiasm of participants.  Food donations for area food banks are being received at the market so please remember us on your next visit.  Food collected there is being distributed to to St. Paul's and to Salvation Army's House of Hope.

On September 12, Chefs Vito and Billy from Liaison College plus 4 students created some wonderful food offerings using food from Food Bank hampers.  Visit the PTC website to view their preparations.

Feed The Soul

Enjoy a "steaksgiving" dinner at Casey's Bar & Grill and support your local food bank at the same time.  From Sept. 3 - Oct. 8, Casey's will donate $1 for each meal selected from a special menu to the Ontario Assoc. of Food Banks .  See the link for more details.  

Whitby-Ajax Community Gardens

Each week our clients have been receiving fresh vegetables in their food basket thanks to the gardeners at W.A.C.G.

 A truckload of produce has been arriving at our door each week through the summer delivered by Mary Drummond.  The carrots, tomatoes, beans, beetroot, okra and caliloo are especially appreciated by our clients. A great big thank you goes out to W.A.C.G.  If you are interested in volunteering at the gardens, please follow the link here.  

JULY 2012 

MAY 2012 

March 2012

Are you a golfer?  Our 3rd annual golf tournament is being held on July 19 at Glen Cedars Golf Course.  Please refer to the flyer for additional details.

February 2012

The warehouse volunteer positions have all been filled.  Thanks to everyone who responded to the recent article in the News Advertiser.  Your offers of help and support are greatly appreciated and remind us once again of the generous support for the Food Bank that exists in this community.

January 2012

Message from Director, Rae Coulter 

To all my friends and supporters of the St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank:

It is with mixed feelings that I announce that I will be retiring from my role as the Director of the St. Paul's-on-the-Hill Community Food Bank. I feel it is time to hand over the reins which will give me an opportunity and time to take on some new challenges. My years at the Food Bank have been so very rewarding and, together, we have made a positive impact in our community. I have met and formed lasting friendships with many wonderful people who I will miss but will always hold dear in my heart.  With your help, the St. Paul's on-the-Hill Community Food Bank will continue helping out the needy in our community. Your support over the years has been so appreciated and I would like to send you my personal thank-you for being there when your community needed you. Keep up the great work!

My best wishes to Margaret.Jocz who will be stepping in to replace me. Thanks again for all your help.

Rae Coulter, Director, St. Paul’s Community Food Bank

Friends and supporters of the Food Bank would like Rae to know how much her dedication and leadership has been appreciated over many years.  Rae, we all wish you the very best in the future. 

December 2011

Our Christmas food drives are in full swing.  Thank you to all our donors and volunteers who have supported us so faithfully through this year.  Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year! 

November 2011

St. Paul’s on the Hill Community Food Bank would like to thank everyone in the Ajax and Pickering area for all of the donations received during the Thanksgiving Food Drive.

Here are some contributors that we would like to recognize for their strong support:

Walmart, Pickering

Cineplex 8, Pickering

Vaughn Willard P.S.

Bayview Heights P.S.

October 2011

Our 2nd annual golf tournament held on June 22 at Glen Cedars Golf Course raised over $16,000 for the food bank.  The cheque was presented by Kevin Cahill and Grant Bridges to Director Rae Coulter in October.  A great big "THANK YOU" to the organizers and participants in this event.  You make us smile!