Food Banks

Food Banks and Emergency Food programs provide individuals and families with grocery items free of charge.

Blue Door Food Pantry

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Individuals on low working income or low pension income who live in the City of Hamilton.

How to apply:

By appointment only. Must provide an income statement, a rent receipt, proof of address, and photo ID for each person living in the home.

Provides food and clothing to individuals in need. Donations are welcome.

East Hamilton Food Centre Emergency Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all families and individuals who are on a low income and in need of food assistance.

How to apply:

To register, bring identification for all members of the household, proof of address, income statement, rent or mortgage statements, and copies of utility statements. 

An emergency food bank providing emergency food and hygiene supplies for 3-4 days to those with a low income. Operated in partnership with the Davis Creek neighbourhood association.

Venture Centre Market Place Emergency Food and Clothing Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all families (including newcomer families) and individuals that meet a low income assessment.

How to apply:

All new registrants must sign up in person. Registration hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am-10am and 12:30pm-1:30pm. Please being identification for all household members with proof of address. 

A dignified, efficient, and safe space providing easily accessible emergency food and clothing to registered clients. 

Parkview Church Emergency Food Program

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Individuals and families in need of food assistance.

How to apply:

No application required, service is first-come first-served. Please bring ID and proof of income (such as a stub from Ontario Works or ODSP) or a referral slip from a referring agency.

Distributes food to Hamilton residents through donations from local bakeries and grocery stores. No appointment necessary, service is first-come, first-served. This is not a food bank, but can occasionally supplement what individuals or families receive from food banks.

Native Women's Centre Emergency Outreach Program

Phone:
Crisis Line Number: 1-888-308-6559
Contact:
Vicki Montour, Executive Assistant
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Food delivery hours vary, contact for details
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Indigenous individuals and families living in Hamilton.

How to apply:

Call the office and leave a voicemail to register for a food delivery.

Provides emergency food/clothing/household supplies to Indigenous people living in the Hamilton area who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Supplies are delivered to the applicants homes.

Flamborough Food Bank Services

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to individuals and families in need of food and personal care supplements who are not registered at another food bank.

How to apply:

Registration will be completed upon first visit. Documentation required includes:

  • Government ID for each person in the household
  • Home address and phone number
  • Emergency contact
  • Income (sources, amount) and monthly expense information

Community food bank located in Carlisle United Church. 

Food drop off sites include:

  • Sobeys (255 Dundas Street East, Waterdown)
  • Fortino’s (115 Hamilton Street North, Waterdown)
  • Griffin Vintage Furniture (7 Griffin Street, Waterdown)
  • Waterdown Fire Station 24 (252 Parkside Drive, Waterdown)

For major donations please call in advance, donations are not accepted during Food Bank hours.

Ancaster Community Services Food Assistance Program

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Low or fixed income individuals and families who live in Ancaster or the surrounding area.

How to apply:

Appointments are required. ID with proof of address for each household member required. Proof of income and expenses required. 

Emergency food bank providing non-perishable food and personal hygiene products to income-challenged residents of Ancaster and the surrounding area.

Hamilton Jewish Social Services Kosher Food Bank

Phone:
Work: 905-627-9922 x22
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Clients of the food bank must either:

  • be a member of the Jewish community in Hamilton or surrounding areas
  • live within 4 km of the Hamilton Jewish Family Services offices
How to apply:

Contact to arrange an interview.

Provides Kosher food and personal care products to families and individuals. Allows clients to collect their own goods once a month according to the size of the household and their needs.

Restoration House Hamilton Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to any family or individual in need of food assistance.

How to apply:

Contact for information about how to apply.

Offers emergency food assistance to all persons living in poverty and with low incomes.

Salvation Army Dundas Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Shirley Molloy, Executive Director, Salvation Army, Hamilton Community and Family Services
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all families and individuals who are in need and on a low income.

How to apply:

Contact for information

Provides emergency help in the form of a community food bank. The food bank sometimes has fresh fruits and vegetables.

Salvation Army Central Hamilton Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Shirley Molloy, Executive Director, Salvation Army, Hamilton Community and Family Services
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all families and individuals who are in need and on a low income. Users can access the food bank monthly, to a maximum of 12 times per year.

How to apply:

Must provide personal identification for each applicant, proof if current address and proof of income for every adult applicant.

Provides emergency help in the form of a community food bank.

Welcome Inn Community Centre Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all

How to apply:

Contact for information. ID with proof of address is required for each household member.

Emergency food bank providing food and personal hygiene items to individuals and families. Can be accessed once per month per household.

Neighbour to Neighbour Centre Food Bank and Emergency Services

Phone:
Work: 905-574-1334 x300
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Closed for lunch: Mon-Wed 12 noon-12:45pm; Thu 3:15pm-3:45pm
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families or individuals who are in need of food assistance, are on a low income, and reside on the Hamilton mountain.

How to apply:

Contact to book an appointment. First-time users must provide identification for all members of the household, proof of address, and proof of income.

Offers emergency food support for residents of Hamilton mountain by providing 5-7 days of essential food, including fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, bread and vital non-perishable items.

King's Way Weekly Grocery Pickup

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Closed 12:30pm-1pm
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families or individuals who are in need of food assistance.

How to apply:

Walk-ins welcome, no registration required. Bring ID for each person in household.

Provides access to a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and packaged foods as available. Clothing racks may be available. Please bring reusable grocery bags. 

Food with Grace Waterdown Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Cindy Allen, Parish Administrator
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families or individuals in need of food assistance or personal care items.

How to apply:

Call to make an appointment. Please bring proof of residence when picking up food.

This program provides emergency food parcels and personal care items for families and individuals in need of assistance, operating by appointment at the door. 

Donations of non-perishable items can be dropped off in the Food with Grace boxes at Sobeys, Fortinos, or No Frills stores in Waterdown, or at Grace Anglican Church. Monetary donations can also be made to the church.

Crown Point Community Church The Giving Cupboard

Phone:
Contact:
Liana Brown, Pastor
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all residents of the Crown Point neighbourhood.

How to apply:

Contact for information about the application procedure.

Food pantry, stocked with non-perishable staples for those in need in the neighbourhood. Clients can shop once every calendar month, using a points system.

Glanbrook Community Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web:
Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Low income individuals and families residing in the Glanbrook area with the following postal codes: L0R 1C0 (Binbrook), L0R 1P0 (Hannon), and L0R 1W0 (Mount Hope).

How to apply:

Call or drop in for information about application procedures.

Community food bank that provides emergency help to individuals and families.

Good Food Centre

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all families and individuals who are on a low income and in need of food assistance.

How to apply:

To register, bring identification for all members of the household, proof of address, income statement, rent or mortgage statements, and copies of utility statements.

Provides emergency access to 7 days worth of food and hygiene supplies in a community-based setting, while providing as much choice as possible, including culturally appropriate food. 

Infant Formula and Diaper Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Raven vanBommel, Founder and Executive Director
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families and individuals with children aged 0-3 years who are in need of assistance.

How to apply:

By appointment only.

Provides emergency supply of infant formula, baby food, and diapers to families with children aged 0-3 years.

Niwasa Food Bank

Phone:
Work: 905-549-4884 x1
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all

How to apply:

Make an appointment by calling 905-549-4884 x1. Photo identification required.

Provides food to Hamilton residents in need. Limited delivery is available to seniors and those not able to pick up. By appointment only.

Stacey's Place Youth Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to youth ages 13 to 25. ID must be shown to verify birth date.

How to apply:

No application required.

Emergency services and grocery support for youth in the Hamilton community. Provides food, clothing, baby products, and hygiene items. Also offers nutrition and budgeting programs as well as referrals to Living Rock's Wellness Works Coordinator.

Stoney Creek Community Food Bank Services

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to any family or individual in need of food assistance and on a low income residing in Stoney Creek.

How to apply:

Government-issued ID for every family member in the household and proof of Stoney Creek residency must be brought to every food bank visit. 

A food bank providing food to residents of Stoney Creek who are in need.

Seventh-Day Adventist Church Community Services and Food Bank

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families and individuals who are in need and on a low income.

How to apply:

Contact to register.

Offers emergency services to families and individuals of any religion to assist in meeting immediate needs. Services include regular distribution of food and gift cards through the food bank, as well as occasionally providing clothing, furniture, and household items.

Eva Rothwell Centre Emergency Food Pantry

Phone:
Work: 905-526-1558 x401
Fax Number: 905-524-1558
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all individuals and families in need.

How to apply:

Contact for information.

Provides food assistance to those in need.

MSU Food Collective Centre

Phone:
Work: 905-525-9140 x27685
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Closed during scheduled breaks in McMaster's academic calendar.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all McMaster students. 

How to apply:

No application required.

A student-run food bank and food security resource, located on McMaster University's campus. Services include:

  • Food Bank and FCC Fridge: offering fresh food, non-perishable items, and hygiene products at no cost
  • Community Kitchen Workshops: free monthly cooking workshops with all ingredients provided, offers an accessible way to learn and connect
  • Lockers of Love: a confidential way to collect ordered non-perishable food items ordered online
  • Good Food Box: provides affordable, fresh produce once monthly

Additional events are run monthly to provide information and resources about food insecurity, raise awareness and support, and to gather funds to support the program.

Trans and Non-Binary Food Bank

Phone:
Work: 905-523-6611 x2022
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Transgender and non-binary people and their family from anywhere in Hamilton.

How to apply:

Contact Autumn Getty at 905-523-6611 x2022 or agetty@compassch.org

Food bank and support services for transgender and non-binary people and their families. 

Crossfire Assembly Grocery Give-Away

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all.

How to apply:

No application required.

Provides a bag of non-perishable food to people in need on the third Wednesday of every month. 

Edith’s Pantry

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Families and individuals who are in need.

How to apply:

Please contact before arriving. Food bank can be used once per month.

On-site food bank at Delta United Church serving families and individuals in the community. Clients can visit once a month to select a limited number of items from a variety of packaged/canned foods as well as health and hygiene items.

Food donations welcome during church hours.

Foodshare

Phone:
Contact:
Email:
Web: Address: Hours:
Contact for information.
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Clients facing food insecurity.

How to apply:

Drop in, no application required.

A program designed to address the issues of food insecurity by assisting clients who are facing financial issues and food insecurity. Through food drives and donations from the community, the program distributes donated food to families in need. This program also promotes healthy eating on a budget.

Barakah Box

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all who are on a low income and in need of food assistance. Proof of ID, bank statements, and rental/mortgage statements are required.

How to apply:

Register using the form online, or in person at the Hamilton Mountain Mosque. 

Food bank using a gift card system; monthly reloadable gift cards are distributed to be used at a local partner halal food market.

HCF Food Care

Phone:
Contact:
Email: Web: Address: Hours:
Cost:
None
Who can access this service:

Open to all in need of food.

How to apply:

Drop in every second Friday. Please bring bags. 

A food bank providing items such as bread, dairy, cereal, meats, personal hygiene items, and occasionally produce.