FAQs
How Does Canadian Foodgrains Bank Work?
Farmers can make donations of grain, corn, oilseeds, pulse crops and other agricultural commodities at most grain elevators in Canada. Livestock producers are also active.
Many people make donations in cash, which is then used to buy additional food and to help pay shipping, bagging and transportation costs.
In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009, Canadian farmers responded to the hunger of others by donating nearly $5.5 million dollars worth of grain to the Foodgrains Bank. The total value of this grain plus cash donations received reached $12.4 million last year.
The Canadian International Development Agency provides $25 million annually to match our shipments on a 4:1 basis. This greatly enhances the amount of food and assistance we can provide.
Charitable tax receipts are issued for donations of cash or farm produce over $10 in value.
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Where Does the Grain Go?
Food collected by the Foodgrains Bank is distributed based on need, regardless of religious or political affiliation. In 2008/2009, food assistance of more than 40,000 tonnes was provided to people in 31 countries in response to poverty, natural disaster and conflict.
The food is used in one of three ways:
- To provide immediate nutrition for people in emergency situations i.e. severe drought;
- To feed people as they rebuild and replant until a new crop is harvested i.e. after flooding;
- To provide food as wages in food-for-work programs where people and their communities work on longer-term projects such as irrigation and improving farmland so that, in the future, people will be able to feed themselves.
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Does the Grain Get There?
The Foodgrains Bank carefully monitors food aid shipments to avoid the development of dependency or unfair competition with local food production. Our church members work with trusted agencies overseas to make sure the food gets to where it is intended to go and we are proud of our record.
In spite of some very challenging logistics in foreign ground transportation and distribution, we know that more than 95% of every bushel we ship actually gets to where it is needed.
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What are your Administrative Costs?
In response to this question, we have made a commitment to be as clear and transparent as possible. So, rather than simply reporting how much of your dollar goes to administration - which can be defined a number of ways - we have also outlined other areas of our work that are supported by your donated dollar.
| Food Aid Program |
74.64 cents |
| Food Security Program |
8.23 cents |
| Nutrition Program |
9.06 cents |
| Program Management |
2.55 cents |
| Public Policy and Education Programs |
.89 cents |
| Administration |
2.76 cents |
| Fundraising and Communications |
1.87 cents |
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Do Volunteers Ever Meet the People We Are Helping?
A Christian response to hunger is not about statistics, it's about people. Every year, the Foodgrains Bank organizes food study tours to allow Canadians the chance to meet the recipients and farmers who are using Canadian food to rebuild their lives. We also arrange for people to come to Canada from overseas to tell us about the challenges they face and the positive difference the assistance makes.
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Does the Foodgrains Bank Provide Volunteer Opportunities?
Canadian Foodgrains Bank relies on a large group of volunteers to help gather grain and donations across the country. Local people may work with farmers, community growing projects, or other fund-raising activities. Volunteers may also speak to church congregations or a variety of interested groups.
For more information, contact the regional coordinator in your area or call our Head Office directly at 1-800-665-0377.
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Who Does the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Work With?
- Canadian Grain Industry
one of the unique aspects of Canadian Foodgrains Bank is its collaboration with the Canadian Wheat Board, the Ontario Wheat Board and other grain industry organizations. These groups work with Canadian Foodgrains Bank to simplify the collection of grain and other agricultural commodities from farmers across Canada. Annual grain donations generally range between 15,000 and 20,000 metric tonnes. - International Partners
member agencies of Canadian Foodgrains Bank carry out food programming in developing countries by working with partner organizations that are directly involved with local communities. All food assistance is provided solely on the basis of need without regard for creed, race, colour, or political affiliation. The amount of food provided by Canadian Foodgrains Bank members in any given year varies, but typically falls in the range of 40,000 to 60,000 metric tonnes annually. - Government
the food assistance program of Canadian Foodgrains Bank is generously supported by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). CIDA provides funding to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank at a ratio of 4:1 based on our food programming, to a maximum of $25 million, thus greatly enhancing our donors' assistance. - World Food Programme (WFP)
on more than one occasion, Canadian Foodgrains Bank has collaborated with WFP, the food aid organization of the United Nations. In countries such as India, Angola, Kenya and Afghanistan, WFP has swapped or lent commodities to Canadian Foodgrains Bank to achieve program timing, location or commodity objectives. WFP is also contracted to facilitate transportation in some areas. - Canadian Universities & Schools
Canadian Foodgrains Bank collaborates with universities and schools to inform young people about the causes and possible solutions to world hunger. This is done through World Food Day events and other awareness-building activities.
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What Were Last Year's Results?
We continue to see strong support in donations of grain and cash from individual donors, community growing projects, and active congregations, all of whom are the strength of the Foodgrains Bank.
In the past fiscal year, gifts of grain and cash equaled $12.4 million.
Donations of grain from farmers and community growing projects were 22,632 tonnes.
Grain and Cash Donations
Five Year Summary - in millions of dollars |
| |
Grain |
Cash |
Land |
Total |
| 2008/2009 |
$5.5 |
$6.9 |
$0.01 |
$12.4 |
| 2007/2008 |
$3.8 |
$4.6 |
-
|
$8.4 |
| 2006/2007 |
$3.1 |
$4.0 |
$0.09 |
$7.2 |
| 2005/2006 |
$2.6 |
$4.2 |
-
|
$6.8 |
| 2004/2005 |
$3.1 |
$3.9 |
$0.03 |
$7.0 |
| 5 Year Average |
$3.6 |
$4.7 |
$0.03 |
$8.4 |
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Do You Accept Cash Donations?
Yes we do. Cash donations are up from last year and continue to show growth. Church congregations and individuals are the primary source for most donations. To donate online, click here.
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Do you accept proceeds from Livestock Auctions?
Yes we do. Livestock producers in places such as Ponoka and Abbotsford have been supporting Canadian Foodgrains Bank through dairy and beef auction sales for the past few years.
Truckers will often donate their freight to bring the animals to the sale. Local auctioneers donate their time and facilities. They include the livestock, donated to the Foodgrains Bank, as part of their regular sales so that all proceeds can forwarded.
Sales have raised between $30,000 and $100,000 per occasion.
For more information on how to organize a livestock sale, please contact your regional coordinator.
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What volume of Grain Donations did you receive last year?
The following chart shows grain donations by province:
Grain Donations by Province
2008/2009 Fiscal Year
- in dollars - |
| Alberta |
1,562,836 |
| Saskatchewan |
1,126,052 |
| Manitoba |
1,444,444 |
| Ontario |
1,310,153 |
Atlantic
|
21,709 |
Other
|
10,598
|
| TOTAL TONNES |
5,475,792 |
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How many Community Growing Projects are there?
These projects contribute approximately two-thirds of the grain received by the Foodgrains Bank. In 2009 there were approximately 207 projects across Canada.
Growing Project Results - 2008/2009
- in tonnes - |
| Year |
Alberta/BC |
Saskatchewan |
Manitoba |
Ontario/East |
# of Projects |
| 2003/04 |
4,290 |
2,326 |
2,940 |
5,666 |
230 |
| 2004/05 |
4,730 |
3,216 |
1,972 |
5,472 |
216 |
| 2005/06 |
5,225 |
3,009 |
1,103 |
6,057 |
212 |
| 2006/07 |
5,438 |
3,040 |
2,911 |
5,882 |
207 |
| 2007/08 |
4,522 |
2,475 |
2,007 |
5,501 |
214 |
2008/09
|
5,407
|
2,025
|
3,448
|
5,279
|
207
|
In the over 200 communities with growing projects, there is a group of between 10 - 100 volunteers as well as a number of local businesses involved, large and small. A community growing project usually involves a group of people (farmers, fuel dealers, equipment dealers, local small businesses, grain elevator staff, church congregations) gathering together to farm a common plot of land. Once harvested, the production is donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank for use in food aid and development projects carried out by its church members. This unique approach to raising grain and cash donations for Canadian Foodgrains Bank brings people together in a community effort.
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What are you doing to educate people?
We are active in the area of Hunger Education as we strive to help Canadians understand the issues of hunger and food security.
We have developed and published Christian Education curriculum for use in churches and schools. Over 10,000 copies are now in circulation and thousands have been downloaded off the web.
Food study tours to Kenya and Ethiopia allowed Canadians to meet recipients firsthand and to see the difference their help has made. A youth tour orientated to providing an educational aspect visited Honduras.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank developed the refugee simulation experience "In Exile for a While" for youth aged 12 to 30. "In Exile for a While" recreates the experiences of being a refugee. Click here to learn more.
Canadian Foodgrains Bank is working with a number of schools and the Manitoba Department of Education to develop a curriculum for high school students on hunger issues.
All aspects of food – from sharing of food to addressing the root causes of hunger are part of a ‘Christian Response to Hunger’. The Foodgrains Bank provides key advice to Canadian trade negotiators in an effort to ensure that developing world farmers have a fair chance at being self-sufficient within global trade rules.
Just as we carefully assess our food programs to ensure we are not causing dependency or local price distortions with our assistance, so too must governments ensure policies actually help, not hinder people, as they work at improving their lives and reducing their exposure to hunger.
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