The Portland Food Bank is non-political, sustained solely by private donations and is a community-based subsidiary organization under the umbrella of Portland United Church. 

We do not receive financial support from any level of government.  Charitable Receipts are made possible through our relationship with Portland United Church. 

The Portland Food Bank is operated by a group of community volunteers, including a Manager who also serves as a liaison with Portland United Church’s Outreach.  At present (2021) some 20 area families regularly receive support from the food bank. We value the fact that our volunteers have personal interaction with clients.  Volunteers can help clients choose food items best suited for them, instead of just receiving a standard box of products, some of which they might not be able to use.   

We are grateful for our following other partnerships:  

Country Roads Community Health Center:  The Food Bank purchases the monthly “Good Food Boxes” from the CRCHC for our clients. The boxes are filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. These boxes are available on the third Tuesday of the month, and now that the Food Bank has moved inside the CHCHC building, these boxes can be picked  up at the same location as the Food Bank.  

Community Clothing Cooperative:  Upon their visit at the Food Bank, our clients are encouraged to select any clothes they might need courtesy of the Community Clothing Cooperative.  Throughout the year, the Co-op also makes generous monetary donations to the Food Bank from their clothing sales income. 

Portland United Church:  During the Christmas Season the Sunday School organizes a “White Gift Sunday”.  The congregation brings in gifts of non-perishable food to be distributed to the clients at the Food Bank in their Christmas Hampers.  As well, we have a Donation Hamper at the church and the congregation is most generous filling this hamper with non-perishable food for our clients throughout the year.  The United Church Women (UCW) is also a generous donor to our Food Bank. 

And last but not least, the generosity of our community is heaven sent.  The continued support we receive with donations of money and food from private individuals and local businesses is unbelievable.  This has been especially evident with all the donations during the Build a Mountain of Food Campaigns. 

The Portland Food Bank is located inside the Country Roads Community Medical Centre at 4319 Cove Road, Portland. 

The Food Bank is open every First and Third Tuesday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. 

To avoid delays, it is recommended that new clients pre-register by calling 613-359-0151 or 613-207-5612.  If we are unavailable, please leave a message and we will gladly call you back.

Louise Martin
Manager

Norma Cummings
Primary Contact
613-359-0151

Or write to us at:  Portland Food Bank, P.O. Box 251, Portland, ON K0G 1V0

Or email us at:  portlandfoodbank2021@gmail.com

When you visit the food bank, you will be greeted by our manager who will ask you a few questions about size of your family, ages of children, and any special diet requirement you might have (gluten-free or vegetarian, for example). 

You will need one piece of identification (e.g., driver’s license or health card, etc.) as well as proof of address (utility bill or other recent mail). 

We gladly accept food donations (non-perishable items only) but we love your financial support too. Financial contributions allow us to buy what we need, when we need it.  

Online using a credit card or PayPal 

• eppc-ucc.com click on "Donate Today" at the bottom, select the Food Bank option and select Portland and fill out the form.  Or you go directly to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/34792 . CanadaHelps issues a receipt for tax purposes automatically. 

Cash or cheque 

• Cheques may be mailed to Portland Food Bank, P.0. Box 251, Portland, Ontario K0G   All donations of $20 or over will receive a receipt for income tax purposes.   

E-transfer  

• Using donateportlandunitedchurch@kingston.net as the email address for the donation - indicate that the donation is for the Portland Food Bank and please be sure to include your full address in the note field, in order that we may send you a receipt for income tax purposes.

To donate food 

We are always happy to receive your food donations, however, we cannot accept opened, expired or homemade food. 

During the present pandemic food donation drop-off must be pre-arranged by contacting the Food Bank ahead of time.  Please contact:  Louise at 613-207-5612 or Norma at 613-359-0151 or email us at:  portlandfoodbank2021@gmail.com  

To donate time  

The Portland Food Bank can use your help in various positions. If you would like to offer a few hours of your time, we are always looking for volunteers .  Contact us and we will try to match your skills. Please contact:  Louise at 613-207-5612 or email us at: portlandfoodbank2021@gmail.com