Food Bank
Service Summary
The Deep River and Area Food Bank is an incorporated organization and a registered charity. It is an independent entity, run entirely by volunteers and supported by our local community. Our aim is to provide food relief to individuals and families in our community who need our help.
We have our own Board of Directors who set overall policies and rules and a Volunteer Committee where many of the day-to-day operations are decided.
Annual Report
Click here to read the Deep River and Area Food Bank Inc. - Annual Report for 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where is the Food Bank located?
The Deep River and Area Food Bank is located in the basement area of Deep River and District Health, 117 Banting Drive, Deep River. Go to the delivery bays at the east end of the building and you will see our sign on an entry door.
When is the Food Bank open?
The Food Bank is open to clients between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm every Monday except when Monday is a holiday.
Who can use the Food Bank?
Anyone can use our Food Bank, provided they live within our catchment area. The catchment area is from Deux Rivières in the West (including Swisha) to Chalk River in the East.
If you live east of Chalk River, please go to a food bank in Petawawa or Pembroke:
- Petawawa Pantry: 3468B Petawawa Blvd. Phone: 613-687-1616. Open Tuesdays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Thursdays 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
- St. Joseph’s Food Bank: 295 First Avenue, Pembroke. Phone: 613-732-3807. Open Mondays 9:30 am to 12:30 pm.
How often can I use the Food Bank?
You are entitled to one visit per calendar month. We record the date of each visit.
What information do I need to provide if I want to use the Food Bank?
We record the following information for each of our clients:
Name, Address, Phone Number, Number of Children and Years of Birth (to help us provide extras such as school lunch kits), and Partner’s Name if any.
When you visit the Food Bank please bring ID to show that you live in our catchment area (Deux Rivières to Chalk River).
Can someone else pick up food for me?
The first time you visit the Food Bank you must come in person or contact North Renfrew Family Services for help (613-584-3358). If, on rare occasions, if you cannot pick up your food in person, you must either call us to notify us that someone else is authorized to pick up your order, or that person must bring a note, signed by you, each time.
Is the Food Bank on Facebook?
Yes, just search on Facebook for
Deep River and Area Food Bank, or click here to access the page. We post regularly with information about
holiday closures, special needs, food drives and contact information.
How do I contact the Food Bank?
If you need food please visit us during our open hours. For other enquiries and messages please phone 613-584-3333 ext. 7910 and leave a message. We pick up our phone messages every day, and one of us will contact you.
Deep River and Area Food Bank
117 Banting Drive, P.O. Box 1015, Deep River
Phone: (613) 584-3333 ext. 7910
Helping the Food Bank
How do I make a donation of money?
Here are three options:
How do I make a donation of food?
Most of the local churches have drop boxes for non-perishable food items. There are also boxes in the Deep River town hall, Jan’s Valu-mart, the Deep River & District Health lobby, and Giant Tiger. You can also bring food items to the Food Bank during our open hours. We accept donations of fresh garden produce, in season, during our open hours.
Are there food items that you do not accept as donations?
In general we are limited to foods that are pre-packaged and that have never been opened. We cannot accept the following:
- Foods that are more than one year past the best-before date.
- Sensitive foods that are past the expiry date (such as baby food).
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Home-made goods (such as pickles, jams, cookies, or muffins).
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Significant quantities of frozen foods (due to lack of freezer space).
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Open containers of food (such as bags that have split, or partly used tins of coffee).
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Any food that you think might be of doubtful quality.
If in doubt about the acceptability of a donation please call us and leave a message. We will get back to you.
What sort of work do the volunteers do?
We depend on a variety of skills and interests from our enthusiastic team of volunteers. The work includes behind-the-scenes tasks such as administration, finance, and publicity, and operational work such as picking up purchased food, stacking shelves, and filling boxes.
All our volunteers are required to sign a membership form committing themselves to our standards of behaviour, and we expect our volunteers to be reasonably regular in their work for the Food Bank.
How can I volunteer?
If you are interested in helping us please phone us at 613-584-3333 ext. 7910 and leave a message. We pick up our phone messages every day, and one of us will contact you.