Nourishing Families, Nourishing Community: How Community Care of West Niagara and United Way Niagara Are Supporting Local Households

Access to healthy food shouldn’t be out of reach, but for many families in West Niagara, rising costs and tight budgets make it difficult to fill the fridge with the basics.

The Community Care of West Niagara (CCWN) Food Program, supported by United Way Niagara, helps ease that strain by offering residents a full range of nutritious choices, week after week.

The Food Program provides low-income households in Lincoln with access to fresh produce, bread, baked goods, pantry staples, and frozen items; everything needed for a balanced, healthy diet. Thanks to the generosity of local farmers, grocers, and vendors, CCWN can keep the shelves stocked with a diverse selection that reflects the foods families hope to bring home.

And the impact is clear. The CCWN team shared that some of their favourite moments happen right in the shopping room: seeing people light up when they spot something new on the shelf, or when a favourite item is available that they may not have been able to purchase otherwise. These small, joyful reactions highlight the dignity and comfort that choice brings to the experience.

By offering both perishable and non-perishable items on a weekly and monthly basis, the Food Program helps families stretch their budgets, plan meals more confidently, and access foods that support their health and well-being. For many, it brings a sense of stability that carries into their daily lives.

United Way Niagara’s support strengthens this work. Their investment in food security ensures that residents across West Niagara have consistent access to nutritious options — not as a luxury, but as an essential part of daily living.

This partnership also extends to CCWN’s Back to School Program, where a donation of brand-new backpacks from United Way brought excitement and relief to parents and kids at the beginning of the school year. Watching students choose the backpack that feels “just right” is a moment the team looks forward to every year.

Together, CCWN and United Way Niagara are helping families meet essential needs with dignity and care. Because when people have access to nutritious food and supportive programs, they can build stability, confidence, and connection.

Learn more about the work of Community Care of West Niagara at: communitycarewn.ca