About Us

The West Muskoka Food Bank is open every Thursday from 3:00 – 5:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 – 11:00 AM.

All residents in need in West Muskoka are welcome.

Volunteers faithfully man the food bank during open hours and also provide assistance with shopping, food donation pick-up, sorting and greeting clients.

We respect the dignity of each of our clients, so there is no “means test”.  The only information that we require is your name, community, phone number, and the number of adults and children in your family.  We do not collect financial information.  We respect our clients and feel that respect is returned.  All information is confidential and used for statistical and reporting purposes only.

While the West Muskoka Food Bank is available to provide food and many sundry items, we realize the needs of our clients may stretch beyond the things we are able to readily provide. The District of Muskoka offers a financial support program that can be accessed by clicking this link. District of Muskoka

We believe that our first priority is to maintain the dignity of our clients and so our service is confidential and requires no means test to access.

Board of Directors:

  • Phil Sifft, Chair
  • Susan Nairn, Vice-Chair
  • Don Hammond, Compliance
  • Glad Bryce, Secretary
  • Michael Thompson, Treasurer
  • Ellen Gingras, Administrator
  • Joanne Keshen

Operations Manager:

  • Kristen Thompson

Vision

To restore dignity, encouragement, and connection to the economically vulnerable residents in the area of Muskoka Lakes, including but not limited to Bala, MacTier, Milford Bay, Minett, Moose Deer Point, Port Carling, Torrance, Wahta, and Windermere.

Mission

Recognizing the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25 to feed the people, we desire to do our part in bringing the Kingdom of God to earth by responding to the need of our neighbours for food security.  In keeping with this teaching, our mission is to provide a food bank to serve the residents in the area of Muskoka Lakes with dignity and respect.  Our supporting missions offer additional programs to meet the needs of the people we serve.

Core Values

  1. We respect the dignity of our clients, volunteers, and benefactors, seeking to encourage each one to fulfill the full potential that God intended for them.
  2. We desire to follow the teachings of Jesus to honour God by loving our neighbours, supporting them physically, mentally, and spiritually and we welcome people of all faiths, or no faith at all to join us in this endeavour.
  3. We welcome all people (volunteers, staff, and clients) regardless of race, colour, religious faith, gender, social status, or sexual orientation.
  4. We endeavour to conduct the affairs of the corporation ethically and above reproach.
  5. We respect the laws of the land and endeavour to uphold them to the best of our ability.
  6. We are in solidarity with partner organizations that are engaged in food security and other social justice initiatives.
  7. We not only respond to physical need, but when we can, act as advocates for the disempowered in our society.