New Youth & Families Food Hub Launches in Owen Sound

Owen Sound, ON – April 1, 2026 –  In response to a growing need for accessible food supports among children, youth, and families, O’SHaRE, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe, and Keystone Child, Youth & Family Services are proud to announce a new collaborative initiative: the Youth and Families Food Hub.

Located within the shared Keystone and Big Brothers Big Sisters space at 1793 3rd Ave West Owen Sound, the Food Hub is designed to provide immediate, low-barrier access to nutritious, between meal snacks, while also strengthening connections to community-based supports.

At the heart of this initiative is O’SHaRE’s guiding principle, “what we have, we will share.” Through its established partnership with Second Harvest, O’SHaRE will supply nonperishable food to the hub, ensuring consistent and sustainable access for those who need it most.

The launch comes at a critical time. Food bank use in Ontario has reached record highs, with more than one million people accessing emergency food support over 8.7 million times last year-an 87% increase since 2019–2020. Children and youth represent the highest-risk group, underscoring the urgency of targeted, community-driven responses.

While food insecurity is often viewed as an immediate concern, it is also a leading indicator of broader systemic challenges. Rising food bank use is closely linked to increased risks of homelessness, greater pressure on healthcare systems, and worsening mental health outcomes across communities.

Front-line staff and counsellors are increasingly encountering families struggling to meet basic needs. The introduction of an on-site Food Hub offers a practical and compassionate response, enabling staff to provide immediate support to clients while reducing barriers for those accessing services.

“When a child seeking counselling is hungry, their need for nourishment becomes just as urgent as their need for care” (David Willis, KCYFS, CEO).

Beyond food support, the Youth and Families Food Hub is designed to foster connection and belonging. By integrating food access within a trusted service environment, the hub will help bridge individuals and families into additional programs, strengthening overall well-being and ensuring long-term stability for children, youth, and families. The Food Hub, filled with light snacks and basic needs supplies, will be available to youth and families within the Keystone building Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.

This collaborative effort reflects a shared commitment to addressing urgent needs while building a more responsive and supportive community for children and families. It underscores each agency’s commitment to ensuring not only equitable access to food, but also to the dignity, care, and connection we all deserve.

“When we embody the notion of Bigger Together and truly work in collaboration, we create the conditions for meaningful change that strengthens not only individuals but families, and the broader community” (Beth Aubrey, BBBSGBWS, ED).

O’SHaRE remains committed to supporting ongoing food disparities serving hot, nutritious meals to the community at their location on 946 3rd Ave East, Owen Sound. Families seeking food and other support can also access it at the Family Assistance Market (FAM) happening every other Wednesday from 9am-11am at O’SHaRE.

“Partnerships such as this are vital and must be embedded across systems of care. When we take joint ownership, we strengthen our collective ability to show up for one another” (Colleen Trask Seaman, ED, O’SHaRE).

At its heart, this work is about more than food, it is about the strength of community, and the belief that when we come together, we can lift one another up.