To help deal with sharply increased demand at the Picton United Church Food Bank, Mark and Erika Houghton have donated $100,000 to the County Foundation to create a Picton Food Bank Endowment Fund.

The goal is to raise $1 million. That amount will generate enough income annually to help keep shelves stocked with meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, dried goods and other essentials.

“The idea of an endowment is those funds will ideally last forever. It’s invested so that the $1 million will generate a grant to the food bank of $50,000 each year,” notes County Foundation Executive Director Dominique Jones. “When the Food Bank is planning, they’ll know they have this year over year.” 

In 2025, the Food Bank provided over 110,000 meals, while this year has seen a 40 percent increase in visits. The jump reflects the increasing number of families in the County experiencing food insecurity.

According to the County Foundation’s Vital Signs report, one in four households are considered food insecure.

“There’s a lot of stress involved in food insecurity, both on our clients’ part, in struggling to feed their families, and on our part, in never knowing whether we will be able to raise enough to meet the needs of the community,” says Seona Halsey, Coordinator of the Picton United Church Food Bank. 

“This fund will give us crucial breathing room to know at least part of our monthly grocery bill is covered.”

Food bank volunteers Mark and Erika Houghton wanted to create a reliable source of support alongside community donations, which fluctuate.

“We had been fundraising for the past couple of years,” recounts Mark, who is a Community Engagement volunteer at the Picton Food Bank. “I thought the team and I had gotten us into a pretty good position. But then there was a 40 percent increase in new clients, families with a fairly substantial need financially. 

“What I learned from that was the food bank needs a sustainable source of income it can count on year in and year out.” 

Mark Houghton was instrumental in bringing a Coldest Night of the Year walk to Picton earlier this year, the first time this national event was made local. 150 walkers divided into teams were supported by 700 donors, and raised $65,000 for the Picton Food Bank in one cold night.

Still, it is not enough, he told the Gazette. The Food Bank needs at least $40,000 every month to keep its shelves stocked.

Familiar with food insecurity

In his past, Mark’s father owned a string of Radio Shacks before the businesses went insolvent. The kindness of a local OPP officer helped the family get through a cold winter.

“During that winter we were really struggling. Thankfully the OPP officer who lived next door to us attended a deer vs. car incident. He had the deer quartered so we could have meat for the winter. That’s the old-fashioned way when it comes to neighbours helping neighbours,” he recounts. 

“What we’re doing at the food bank is another way for neighbours to take care of neighbours.” 

Erika meanwhile was a newcomer to Canada 20 years ago. She attended school full time and volunteered at a daycare centre during the week, and spent her weekends working.

“Sometimes the money wasn’t enough to cover expenses, and there wasn’t any more time to work. I was lucky to reach out to a food bank in Toronto. I was able to use their services for a few months until I found a job where I could cover all of my expenses. This was a big help for me because I was able to go to school, I graduated, and I got a really good job with the City of Toronto. 

“Now here I am trying to help others.”

She notes most of the people who use the food bank are working full time jobs.

“Sometimes people believe the people who use the food bank don’t work. That’s not the case with this economy. Most of the clients work, but they need the extra help because cost of living is crazy.” 

According to Ms. Jones, the new endowment fund does not by any means eliminate the need for donations directly to the food bank. Donating to the fund is best suited for those looking to make a larger, more permanent contribution.

“Please, still support the Food Bank directly, they urgently need the funding. Donors who support our local food banks help ensure County residents can put food on the table, meeting a basic essential need.” 

“Supporters of this new, managed fund go one step further by investing in the food bank’s long-term stability, helping ensure it will continue to be there for individuals and families who need it for years to come.”

The Food Bank Fund is part of the County Foundation’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which his guided by three core commitments: to keep the community informed about the issues that need tackling, to use resources effectively, and to create meaningful community connections.

That means growing the community funds managed and distributed by the County Foundation.