About Us
The Brookfield Community Food Cupboard (BCFC) was launched in May 2024 as a local food program to assist food-insecure households of students eligible to attend Brookfield High School, as well as community residents living in the school’s catchment neighbourhoods.
The BCFC is a unique, innovative model, operating as a partnership between the community and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. The Cupboard itself is physically located in Brookfield High School from which food is distributed once a week.
For its food and funding, the Cupboard works with local organizations for donations, creating family-oriented neighbourhood events and food drops at various pre-established locations.
This level of participation reflects the commitment of ‘neighbours helping neighbours’ and the Cupboard has become the focal point for food security initiatives in its neighbourhoods.
BCFC relies strictly on volunteers – Brookfield students and volunteers from its neighbourhoods. Student engagement provides a rich learning experience which simultaneously results in helping the student population to not go hungry.
The BCFC is a unique, innovative model, operating as a partnership between the community and the Ottawa Carleton District School Board. The Cupboard itself is physically located in Brookfield High School from which food is distributed once a week.
For its food and funding, the Cupboard works with local organizations for donations, creating family-oriented neighbourhood events and food drops at various pre-established locations.
This level of participation reflects the commitment of ‘neighbours helping neighbours’ and the Cupboard has become the focal point for food security initiatives in its neighbourhoods.
BCFC relies strictly on volunteers – Brookfield students and volunteers from its neighbourhoods. Student engagement provides a rich learning experience which simultaneously results in helping the student population to not go hungry.
Our Role
We Address Local Food Gaps:
- Serve local food needs by supplementing the larger, designated food bank (Heron Emergency Food Centre) for the Riverside Park, Hunt Club, Heron Road areas facing transportation issues
- Provide food for one day (three meals), once a week per individual/family
- Targeted service area allows for a more focused and effective community-based approach
We Provide High Accessibility Avoiding Any Stigma:
- Located on the premises of Brookfield High School with direct outside access, offer food with low barriers to access and no collection of personal information
We Provide Integrated Student Involvement:
- Involving Brookfield High School students (e.g. those in the Specialist High Skills Major and Non-Profit Organization Development program) to create hands-on learning opportunities and a consistent and dedicated student volunteer base
- Intergenerational program delivery leading to camaraderie and integration of students with older volunteers
We Collaborate with the Community and School:
- Offer an independent and collaborative initiative with strong support from Brookfield High School staff and administration, local community associations/groups and local faith communities
- In-depth knowledge of local needs and issues, nimble action to taking advantage of windows of opportunity
- Ample opportunity for volunteering
Vision, Mission, Values
Our Vision:
Be a mature, well-run, sustainable organization using a holistic approach to build its program on the strength of school and community collaboration.
Our Mission:
Brookfield Community Food Cupboard provides an additional food resource to Riverside Park, Hunt Club, Heron Park residents and the students and families of Brookfield High School by providing nutritious and culturally relevant food in a welcoming, low barrier, dignified and accessible way.
Our Values:
- We solicit whole community collaboration to guide us
- We value diversity and inclusivity
- We foster dignity and respect
- We are guided by principles of trust, fairness, transparency and accountability
- We work collegially and recognize the contributions of others
We are very grateful for the following community partners
that help make things possible!
that help make things possible!
