The Essentials Fund Impact Update, 2025

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported The Essentials Fund and the Waterloo Region community in 2025! We are so appreciative of all our donors and champions as we wrap up the fourth year of fundraising and granting. Because of your generosity, The Essentials Fund raised over $52,000 and supported the following 18 local non-profit organizations who provide vital services, programming, and support to our most vulnerable community members:

oneRoof Youth Services – “Essential needs are not covered by programming funding provided by the regions, but instead entirely funded through grants and private donations. We would use this fund to implement more programming for the youth that come into our shelter and/or drop-in program. We serve around 100 youth a month, offering wrap around services so youth can get the supports they need. This money would be used to buy transit tickets, hygiene products, and household products for our Supportive Housing tenants.”

Over the years, we have tried to simplify our application process to ensure it is not burdensome for organizations to apply. Although the grant provided is unrestricted, we ask each applicant about their clients’ needs so that we better understand an organization’s ability to support their clients as well as the increasing demand for assistance which was highlighted again this year by all applicants. The responses below indicate client needs and the importance of having access to essential items as a foundation of long term health.

Sexual Assault Support Centre – “The Essentials Fund would have a direct and immediate impact on our work by helping us meet the urgent needs of survivors. Many of our clients are navigating multiple barriers, including poverty, housing instability, and trauma. Without access to transportation, nutritious food, or hygiene items, their ability to access counselling, housing support, and other essential services is significantly compromised. This funding would allow us to maintain and expand our current supply of hygiene products, provide grocery gift cards and healthy snacks on-site, and distribute bus tickets so survivors can safely attend appointments and support programs. It would also support our new wraparound programming for unhoused women impacted by gender-based violence, where practical supports are often the critical first step to long-term safety and healing.”

In March 2026, we will launch our 5th fundraising campaign on the first day of Spring, March 20^th ! When we launched The Fund in March 2022, we didn’t know what to expect but have been amazed by the number of community members supporting our fundraising campaign each year. We couldn’t provide these unrestricted grants without your donation and support so please know it is greatly appreciated!

Adventure4Change – “As part of our preventative, co-designed approach, we conducted a community health needs assessment and identified critical gaps in hygiene resources, personal care products, and household cleaning supplies. Many families shared that illnesses linked to inadequate hygiene and access to menstrual products were affecting their health, confidence, and daily lives. Rising grocery and household costs have left some families rationing menstrual products or going without basic hygiene supplies, increasing their risk of infection and illness. This Fund would directly support our efforts by providing hygiene kits, menstrual products, and household cleaning supplies to approximately 100 families over the next four months. This initiative would prioritize menstrual health — a key concern raised by mothers in our programs — while also addressing household cleanliness to reduce preventable illness. Additionally, we would allocate a portion of the funding to emergency bus fare support, ensuring that families facing transportation barriers can access health services, community programs, and essential appointments.”

Best wishes for a lovely holiday season with family and friends and a happy and healthy 2026 from The Essentials Fund Organizing Committee!

Jane Arnold
Allyson Kroetsch
Eleanor McGrath
Claire Anderson
Tom Galloway
Mike Pereira
Rose Greensides
Holly Manning