How Would You Like to Help?
Donate Funds.
The most powerful way to give.
Financial donations allow us to keep our doors open and ensure our shelves are stocked with not just non-perishables, but also fresh fruits, vegetables, and quality meats for healthy, nutritious meals.
Please consider setting up recurring donations online or through E-transfer. This provides us with reliable, year-round support to the community.
E-Transfer
Send your gift to: donations@essafoodbank.ca
(Please send a follow-up email with your full name and mailing address for your tax receipt.)
Cheque
Drop off or mail to:
Essa Food Bank
8527 County Rd 10, Angus, ON L3W 0A7
Tax Receipts:
Donations of $25 or more will receive a tax receipt. Please ensure your full name and mailing address is included with your gift. Receipts are sent out every January for the previous year.
Donate Food.
Keep our shelves stocked.
While we are a small team, the generosity of the Essa community is what keeps our shelves full. There are several ways you can contribute physical goods to support our 300+ households. From pantry staples to hygiene products and diapers, your physical donations go directly into the hands of neighbours in need.
Private Donations
We gratefully accept non-perishable food, diapers, formula, cleaning products, and toiletries. Please check our latest wishlist on Facebook or Instagram for our most urgent needs.
Where: 8527 County Road 10, Angus. (Located right beside the Angus Recreation Centre; use the parking lot directly behind the arena).
When: To ensure a volunteer is available to assist you, please drop off during these preferred windows:
- Wednesdays: 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
- Fridays: 12:00 P.M. – 1:00 P.M.
- By appointment: Please call 705-424-0204 or email us to schedule a drop-off if these times do not work.
- Please do not leave food outside after hours. Food left outside is exposed to temperature changes, weather and pests. Because we cannot verify the quality or safety of unattended food, we are forced to throw these items away. We want to make sure your donations don't go to waste!
- Thank you for helping us keep our food supply safe and fresh for families in need!
We ask for you to please make an appointment for large donations so we can prepare ahead of time.
Community Donation Bins
For your convenience, you can drop off non-perishable items at our marked
bins located at:
- Angus Sobeys
- Justin & Stacey’s No Frills (Angus)
Organize a Food Drive
Are you looking for a way to give back? Whether it’s through your workplace, school, service club, or place of worship, your efforts help us feed over 300 households in Essa Township.
The Best Choice: A “Virtual” Fund Drive
The most efficient way to help is by skipping the heavy lifting and hosting a virtual fund drive.
- Multiply Your Impact: Because of our industry partnerships, we can turn your $1 donation into $2 worth of food.
- Freshness Guaranteed: Your dollars allow us to purchase fresh milk, eggs, meat, and produce that cannot be collected in a traditional bin.
- Ease of Use: No heavy boxes to move or sort. We shop for exactly what our shelves need at that moment.
- Gifts can be accepted through our CanadaHelps page or through your own platform.
Physical Food Drive
If your group prefers to collect physical items, please follow these steps to ensure a
successful event:
- Contact us first to ask what items we need most.
- Set a specific timeline and collection goal
- Place clearly marked bins in high-traffic areas.
- Promote the event widely. Feel free to download our logo and QR code for this!
- Arrange a drop-off time with us for the donations.
Donation Guidelines.
The food bank relies heavily on community contributions and accepts several forms of aid:
- Financial Donations: Monetary gifts are highly efficient and can be sent via e-transfer directly to donations@essafoodbank.ca
- Food Drop-offs: Non-perishable food items can be brought directly to our facility during standard operating hours.
- High-Priority Non-Food Items: In accordance with Food Banks Canada Guidelines, there is a regular need for personal hygiene items (shampoo, deodorant, menstrual products), baby supplies (diapers, formula, wipes), and standard household cleaners.
- Health and Safety Restrictions: Items must be factory-sealed and pre-packaged; home-cooked or open foods cannot be accepted due to local Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit regulations.
Accepted & Unaccepted Items.
Most food banks accept unopened, unexpired non-perishable items like canned proteins,
peanut butter, and pasta. Key items to focus on include protein sources, pantry staples,
and hygiene products.
Most Needed Items:
- Canned Proteins: Tuna, chicken, salmon, and beans
- Pantry Staples: Rice, pasta, pasta sauce, and oatmeal
- Meals & Produce: Canned soups, stews, and canned vegetables or fruit
- Essentials: Diapers, baby formula, toilet paper, and toothpaste
Please check our latest wishlist on Facebook or Instagram for our most urgent needs.
What to Avoid:
- Expired or past-date items
- Opened, damaged, or homemade packaging
- Items containing alcohol
- Medications (including over-the-counter and anything with a DIN number)
- Natural health products (including protein powder)
Join Our Volunteer Team.
The backbone of the Essa Food Bank.
We simply could not serve our 300+ households without the dedication, energy, and compassion of people like you. We are always looking for passionate individuals to join our team!
How To Apply
1. Download and fill out our Volunteer Application.
2. Email your completed application or drop it off during operating hours.
Please note: We keep all applications on file and will contact you when a role that matches your skills becomes available.
Volunteer Roles
Whether you enjoy interacting with neighbors or prefer staying busy behind the scenes, we have a place for you:
During each shift:
- Greeter: Be the first friendly face our neighbours see. You’ll welcome guests, help with initial check-ins, and create a warm environment.
- Personal Shopper: Walk alongside our neighbours as they shop, helping them navigate our points-based system and find the items they need.
- Food Sorter: Help us maintain our Standard of Excellence by checking expiry dates, sorting donations, and stocking shelves. (Requires some lifting and standing).
- Floater: Our “all-stars” who jump in wherever needed—whether it’s cleaning, organizing, or helping a shopper.
- Kitchen Assistant: Work in our kitchen to break down bulk items (like sugar, tea, and coffee) into family-sized portions. You will also help sort fresh produce to ensure only the best quality reaches our shelves. Safe food handling training will be provided!
Other key roles:
- Driver/Support
- Food Bank Shopper
- Admin
- Fundraiser
Physical Requirements
To ensure the safety of our team and the efficiency of our warehouse, we ask that
volunteers:
- Be comfortable with minor lifting (sorting cans and moving crates).
- Be prepared for a fast-paced, active environment.
- Commit to a respectful and confidential environment for all our guests.