Onkel Hans Food Drive

Did you know that 1/3 of people served at the Food Bank of Waterloo Region are under 18 years old? And 1 in 20 households in Waterloo Region rely on food assistance.

The Onkel Hans Food Drive is by far one of the most important aspects of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. In 2019, the initiative raised more than 67,000 meals for over 34,000 people in our community.

For many, the ability to put food on the table has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region has adjusted their operations to ensure no one experiences food insecurity during this uncertain time.

Because there is no in-person Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, the 2021 festival will support the Food Bank of Waterloo Region in a few different ways, including a donation of portions of the proceeds from Oktoberfest-in-a-Box kits and the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Live event.

In addition, if you typically make a donation of cash or food along the parade route, we ask that you please consider making your donation online directly to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region between September 24 and October 11.