Waterloo region food banks thankful for canned goods

A column in a national newspaperlast week suggested people should reconsider how they give to their local food bank.

"For the love of God, stop donating canned goods to the food bank," the National Post headline read.

• Give a financial donation to the food bank on our Sounds of the Season page

But Wendi Campbell, executive director of The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, said food banks are very grateful for canned food donations.

"Financial donations are important, but for us, it's about a balance between all of those types of donations, that we use all of those types of donations to meet the needs of our network of 80 different programs in Waterloo region," Campbell said. "Sometimes canned food is an important donation."

Listen to Campbell's full response below:

Food bank officials have said just $1 can be turned around by staff and volunteers and used for three meals, so financial donations are always welcome.

People interested in donating to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region can do so by dropping off food at fire halls, or at the CBC KW studio at 117 King St. W. in downtown Kitchener, or by donating online on our special Sounds of the Season page.