Windsor charity feeds thousands in community 

With the use of foodbanks on the rise across Canada, volunteers at Feeding Windsor have stepped up to fill a much-needed hole in both the hearts and bellies of people in Windsor-Essex County.  

Feeding Windsor has fed approximately 180,000 hungry people from Essex County and their various animals in 2019 alone.  Their current main location at New Song Church on Drouillard Road has blossomed into nine locations across the region before COVID-19 hit. It also includes a pet food bank run by retired resident Darlene Druer.  

Since restrictions started, they have had to scale back services to operate only from their main location. They continue to provide fresh and healthy food choices at their Food Club on 999 Drouillard Rd.  

“Prior to COVID-19 we were serving ten to twelve thousand people per month at nine locations,” said Rodger Fordham, Director of Feeding Windsor. “We try to foster a feeling of community which is why neighbourhood meals are offered throughout Windsor and Essex County.”  

Due to the pandemic, the community meals have stopped but the Food Club and Lunch To Go continue. People shop at the Food Club with $25 and purchase $50 worth of groceries. Or, they grab their lunch on the go.  

A big part of Feeding Windsor’s focus is the Emergency Shelter program, run by the City of Windsor.  The program helps homeless families by placing them in hotel rooms.  Feeding Windsor serves 150 meals a day, 365 days a year to make sure those in temporary shelters are fed.  They also feed about 25 men at The Launch Pad on Ouellette, a home for men who are fighting addiction.  

“We rely on private donors, corporations and churches to keep Feeding Windsor going,” said Fordham. “Our budget is normally $250,000 year. We have had small dinner fundraisers but don’t have a lot of staff to run anything on a large scale.”

Jane Michaud, 67, has volunteered with the program for two years and said she tries to provide help and a listening ear. 

“After a while people start to build up a trust and open up about their hurt,” said Michaud. “We try to instill into our patrons how valuable they are.” 

For those in temporary housing, Feeding Windsor offers a mobile food bank.  Volunteers drive to Emergency Shelters to both feed COVID-19 patients and support them emotionally.   

Monetary and gift card donations to Feeding Windsor are tax deductible.  More information can be found at feedingwindsor.ca, their Facebook page or by calling 519-971-7664.