A DREAM AND A JOURNEY

OUR MISSION: “Let no one go hungry in our midst.”

The Regional Food Distribution Association emerged from a vision - for improved coordination of food delivery to food banks and feeding programs. The dream has evolved and now includes:

· accessing all food sources available for distribution and better coordinating the collective efforts of stakeholders to better meet the need.

· providing knowledge of government programs to educate the public with regard to issues of food banks and poverty

· providing training to member agencies on safe food handling and to community members to enhance skills, abilities for daily living, community functioning and job readiness.

RFDA has succeeded in becoming a “food bank for food banks”. It accesses food from the public and local businesses and as a designated hub through the National Food Share System, and supplies products to 29 food banks or feeding programs in Northwestern Ontario. Twenty of these programs are in the City of Thunder Bay; others are located in Marathon, Schreiber, Nipigon, Greenstone, Kakabeka, Dryden, Ignace, and Atikokan.

THE JOURNEY

2003

A program took shape, with the determined efforts of individuals and agencies in our community. The initial operation occurred under the sponsorship of the Catholic Family Development Centre, with Rob Barrett as Executive Director.

The RFDA opened at the Pool 6 location under the leadership of Chair, Florence Paulmartin. The City of Thunder Bay contributed the building and the United Way of Thunder Bay provided initial and on-going funding. RFDA became a member of the Ontario Association of Food Banks, which itself is a member of Food Banks Canada.  

2005

The RFDA moved to 704 McKenzie Street, with building rental from the Thunder Bay Indian Friendship Centre. Kelly Hicks became the Chairperson.

2007

Larry Brigham assumed the role of RFDA Chair. Discussions with Anne LeSage, Executive Director of the Indian Friendship Centre, resulted in that agency donating their building to the RFDA. This generous gift was a tremendous catalyst to the future success of the RFDA. During this year $235,000 in food was provided to our members and 3800 hampers a month were provided. Demand and response increases dramatically over the next 3 years.

The Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) became a separate entity and was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization on April 11, 2008. During its first five years, RFDA operated without any staff. The majority of work was done by volunteers. The first staff position, starting in September 2008, was held by Matthew Roy. Salary was paid for by the Thunder Bay District Social Services Administrative Board.

2009-2010

Consultation and support occurred with many new partners. An Annual Fall Food Drive was initiated. The Art of Giving Fund raiser started. Fund raising for a new building and for new walk-in freezers and refrigerators began. The Postal Workers held a spring food drive which is unique to Ontario. Summer students worked with local farmers to increase the amount of fresh produce.

2011

On February 16th we moved into 570 South Syndicate Street, (known to many as the old Diamond Bingo Hall). The building and land were donated by the City of Thunder Bay. A retrofit was completed with funds from Industry Canada, Northern Ontario Heritage, The Paterson Foundation, Fort William Rotary Club, and The Sprott Foundation. Renovations also received support from the municipalities of Dryden, Greenstone, Neebing, Nipigon, O’Connor, Oliver-Paipoonge, and Shuniah; and from many corporate and personal donors.

THE JOURNEY

· RFDA is continually developing partnerships to better meet growing needs. This past year, RFDA provided more than a million dollars of food to member agencies, with local donations from farmers, grocers and the public.

· RFDA accepts responsibility, as the organization grows, for accountability to all its stakeholders. The agency has a committed Board of 12 Directors who meet regularly with meetings open to the public. RFDA appoints auditors each year at its Annual General Meeting. The organization has demonstrated financial responsibility by balancing its budget each year since inception.

· Currently, RFDA has an Executive Director, Volker Kromm, and a Warehouse Manager, Andrew Disotell. Staff positions are supported by funds from the City of Thunder Bay, with operations money from the United Way.

The RDFA has received shipments of food from the National Food Share System through Food Banks Canada and its membership in the Ontario Association of Food Banks (OAFB). We are the designated “hub” for food distribution in Northwestern Ontario. In the past year we have been able to provide over $1,000,000 worth of food to our member organizations. We also rely on food and cash/cheque donations from the public to feed our hungry neighbours. We are a "food bank for food banks" providing food to 29 food banks or meal programs in Northwestern Ontario, (Schreiber, Nipigon, Geraldton, Dryden, Ignace, Atikokan and Marathon, Kakabeka with the others being in Thunder Bay).  The RFDA is a registered charity #80912 4613 RR0001 and a not-for-profit corporation registered in Ontario.