Food Bank Tuesday, Thursday 1:00 - 4:00pm Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

The Living Rock Food Bank (Underground Rock Shop) is the only youth-focused food bank in all of Hamilton and is the first point of contact for many youth and their families. As part of the mission of the food bank, not only are the needs of youth met surrounding food and clothing,  but connections are made to other Living Rock and community services, such as: educational, recreational, informational, social and work programs. These programs address poverty by reducing barriers and by building assets in youth’s lives. This entry point is often the beginning of a trust relationship that builds foundations to help the youth-at-risk securely grow.

The food bank continues to change as it strives to increase the variety and nutritional value of foods available to include more breads and pastries, vegetables, as well as ready-to-eat food. For new Canadians, cultural foods such as rice, flour and dried lentils are often stocked.  More youth are accessing the food bank on behalf of their families. Personal care items and baby products are considered valuable assets to our food bank as they are always sought after items.

Quality seasonal clothes help many youths’ stretched budgets, as they can purchase clothing with ‘Rock Bucks’ (Living Rock currency) from work-to-earn programs around the Living Rock. New Canadians are often grateful for access to items they may not have in their wardrobe. Hygiene and small apartment supplies can be purchased using ‘Rock dollars’. 

HIFIS (Homeless Individuals and Family Information System) is used to track statistics. HIFIS is used in all of the Hamilton food banks, which is obtaining a better sense of the demographics and needs of those utilizing the food bank system.

Weekend Food Bank Saurday & Sunday 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Hamilton Community Foundation

In September, Living Rock was able for the first time, to extend the hours of its food bank program known as the ‘Underground Rock Shop’ into the weekend. This program is the only youth-focused food bank in Hamilton. Currently it is the only one open on the weekend.

The Underground Rock Shop offers a variety of food to choose from, including hygiene and baby products and clothing. The original purpose of opening the food bank on the weekend was to accommodate students and youth who are working and cannot access this program during the day and during the week. We have not only been able to make the food bank available to these populations but have also connected with the youth who use the weekend program. Several of these youth have different needs when compared to the youth who use the week day food bank. For example, many are more in greater need of clothing and hygiene products, and ready-to-eat food due to their living situations (many are homeless and spend their nights on the street, in shelters, or on friends’ couches.)

The Weekend Food Bank program offers a personal approach to the youth. The staff are able to get to know the youth and link them to both internal and external services and information that will help to improve their quality of life.

This funding is a result of Hamilton Community Foundation’s Commitment to ‘alleviate, reduce and prevent poverty.

2009 Statistics (from September 26th to December 27th)
Total number of youth who accessed the program: 171
Number of youth under 18 and children of the youth: 58
Percentage of female youth: 44
Percentage of male youth: 56
Percentage of new youth: 7
Poundage of food provided: 1, 595 lbs