Every year as the holiday season approaches, Canadians are reminded not just of celebration and gratitude — but also of the difficult realities many of their neighbours face. This year, Food Banks Canada and its partners are once again sounding the call to action with the Let’s Feed More Families® Holiday Campaign, inviting communities across the country to help ensure that families experiencing food insecurity can enjoy the warmth, comfort, and dignity of a nourishing meal.
Food insecurity is not an abstract statistic — it’s a growing emergency. According to Food Banks Canada’s latest HungerCount 2025 report, visits to food banks have doubled over the past six years, climbing from nearly 1.1 million visits per month in 2019 to almost 2.2 million monthly visits in 2025. This dramatic increase reflects a harsh truth: far too many individuals and families are struggling to keep food on the table. Rising costs for essentials like housing, transportation, and groceries — outpacing wage growth — have placed tremendous strain on household budgets, forcing more people than ever to seek support.
In the face of this reality, the Feed More Families® Food Drive, led by Loblaw Companies Limited in partnership with Food Banks Canada, has become a vital lifeline. Taking place from November 28 to December 24, 2025, this biannual campaign rallies Canadians to donate food and funds at their local Loblaw banner stores — including Zehrs, No Frills, and Wholesale Club — helping to strengthen the ability of food banks to provide nourishment during the busiest and most challenging time of the year.
How the Campaign Works
There are two simple yet powerful ways to participate:
- Monetary donations at checkout — Shoppers are encouraged to add a donation to their bill at participating Loblaw stores. To amplify the impact of every gift, Loblaw will match all customer donations up to a total of $100,000.
- Food donations in-store — Collection bins placed at the front of stores make it easy to donate essential non-perishable items. Some of the most needed products include canned meat and fish, canned vegetables, nut butters, and low-sugar canned fruit — items that provide versatile, nutritious options for food bank clients.
Importantly, 100% of the food and funds collected through the campaign go directly to local food banks and community food programs, empowering them to address hunger in the communities they serve.
Why the Campaign Matters Now More Than Ever
While food banks have long been a staple of community support systems in Canada, the need has intensified to historic levels. Rising inflation, housing affordability challenges, and socio-economic inequality have all contributed to the surge in food bank use. Many food banks now report purchasing food to meet demand, spending donated funds to secure nutritious options such as fresh produce and culturally appropriate food items that might not otherwise be available through donations alone.
This shift toward purchasing food highlights a broader trend: community generosity, while steadfast, is not always enough to satisfy the volume and variety of food required. Nearly 80% of food banks reported buying food to supplement donations in 2025, underscoring the critical importance of financial support as well as donated goods.
Stories of Impact
Behind the statistics are real people — neighbours, friends, parents, and children — whose lives are touched by food bank support. Organizations like the Kanata Food Cupboard in Ontario have seen remarkable increases in demand. Yet thanks to community contributions and the success of campaigns like Feed More Families®, these organizations are better equipped to stock their shelves and serve those in need.
In British Columbia, the Sources Community Resources Society uses campaign funds to provide fresh, nutritious, and culturally preferred foods that clients value, enhancing not just food access but dignity and choice.
Community Partnerships and Strengthened Ties
The Feed More Families® initiative does more than collect food and funds — it strengthens the bonds between local businesses and the communities they serve. Many of the same stores hosting holiday food drives also participate in Food Banks Canada’s Retail Food Program, which directs surplus food from grocery stores to food banks year-round.
These partnerships amplify the campaign’s reach and deepen the sense of shared purpose: tackling hunger collaboratively, creatively, and consistently. Local store teams often become passionate advocates, supporting friendly fundraising competitions that energize communities while boosting contributions.
How You Can Make a Difference
During the holiday season — a time traditionally associated with abundance — the Feed More Families® campaign offers Canadians a tangible way to share that abundance with others. Whether by rounding up your grocery bill at checkout, dropping a few extra items into a donation bin, or encouraging friends and family to give, every act of generosity helps ensure that no one in your community goes hungry.
Beyond donating, spreading the word through social media, community networks, or workplace initiatives can help build momentum and inspire others to join the cause. The impact of collective action is profound — millions of meals have been provided through years of Feed More Families® drives, and that legacy continues this holiday season.
A Season of Giving, a Future of Hope
In a year when food bank usage is at an all-time high, Let’s Feed More Families® Across the Country This Holiday Season is more than a campaign — it’s a reminder of the compassion and solidarity inherent in Canadian communities. Through the power of partnership, generosity, and shared commitment, we can help ensure that everyone has access to the nourishment they need to thrive — not just during the holidays, but every day.