Welcome, friends! Thanks for showing an interest in donating to Side by Side's emergency fundraiser to support the continuation of our meal service program!

Side by Side is a volunteer-run community initiative providing hot meals and other essential supports to people in Guelph and surrounding cities who are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, and housing instability. Our services support individuals and families ranging from children to seniors, ensuring access to consistent, nutritious food in a welcoming environment that centres everyone's dignity.

Until recently, we received 50lbs of protein weekly through donated supply channels. However; due to changes in our local circular food economy and donation availability, we no longer have access to this protein source. Protein is the most costly and nutritionally essential component of our meals and is especially crucial for the survival of people living outdoors. In addition to this big hit, other food donations have also massively declined and we are no longer receiving enough dairy, produce, or nonperishable items to sustain our operations. Without dedicated funding, rising program costs threaten to end our service entirely.

At Side by Side, we do our best to eliminate barriers for people accessing our services. We don't ban or blacklist people, we don't require any forms or ID or proof of income, we don't pick and choose who we help based on substance use, mental health, or behavior. Regardless of these or any other factors, we believe that everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of the work we do, but it also means there are many people who rely on us for food because they have no other options. That reality is heavy on our minds and hearts as we make this post today. We are afraid for our neighbours who will be left without if they can't access our meal service and encampment outreach programming. But with your help, we can continue supplying food and care to people who so desperately need it.

Any donations you are able to make here today will directly support the purchase of 50 lbs of protien per week, as well as weekly purchases of supplementary ingredients that are no longer being donated to us, so that we can continue to provide this essential service. Our goal of $25,000 would help to stabilize our meal program through to the end of year, ensuring we can provide balanced, protein-rich meals to the people who rely on them for survival.

Thank you so much for any support you are able to give, it truly means so much to us.

Alternative ways to donate:

If you would prefer, donations can also be sent to us via etransfer to the email listed in our instagram bio, or by donating to our CanadaHelps fund through the Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition here (just make sure to select "Side by Side" from the dropdown menu as shown below).