First Time Using a Food Bank? What to Expect and How to Prepare

If this is your first time using a food bank, you might feel nervous, unsure of the rules, or even a little embarrassed. Those feelings are common, and they usually fade within a few minutes of walking through the door.

This guide takes the mystery out of a first visit. It covers what to bring, what happens when you arrive at Friendship House in Brantford, and a few simple habits that make the day go smoothly.

Feeling nervous is normal

Many people put off their first visit for weeks. They worry about being judged, about running into someone they know, or about not “deserving” help when others have it worse.

Here is the truth: a food bank exists for exactly the moment you are in. Rent goes up, hours get cut, a bill arrives that nobody planned for, and suddenly the grocery money is gone.

Everything at Friendship House is free and available to everyone. You are welcome here, whatever brought you to the door.

If it helps, bring a friend or family member with you the first time. A familiar face makes the waiting easier, and an extra pair of hands makes the walk home with heavy bags much lighter.

Before you go: a simple checklist

A little preparation the night before makes the morning much easier. Use this checklist so nothing gets left on the kitchen table.

Item	Why it matters	Required?
Identification for each person in your household	The front desk registers everyone the food is for	Required
Proof of address	Required since May 5, 2025	Required
Sturdy bags or a small cart	Groceries are heavier than you think	Recommended
A list of food allergies in your household	So you can mention them when you collect your food	Recommended
Time to spare	Arrive in the morning and allow for a wait	Recommended

Not sure whether a document will be accepted? Call the office at 519-753-8511, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, before your visit. Our Food Bank ID requirement notice (opens in a new tab) has the official wording.

What happens when you arrive

Knowing the steps ahead of time takes away most of the worry. A first Wednesday at Friendship House follows a simple pattern.

1. Arrive on Wednesday morning. Tickets are handed out from 8:30 a.m.
2. Take your ticket and wait for your turn. Coffee, tea and a light breakfast are available from 8 a.m.
3. Register at the front desk with ID and proof of address for your household.
4. Collect your food, pack your bags and head home before the Food Bank closes at 12 noon.

If anything is unclear, ask. Shantel looks after Front Desk Registration, and the Food Bank team of volunteers is there to help you through it.

Your first visit compared with later visits

The first visit usually takes a little longer because the front desk is meeting you for the first time. After that, the routine becomes familiar.

	First visit	Later visits
How it feels	New and a little uncertain	Familiar, with faces you recognize
Registration	Your household is registered for the first time	Ask the front desk what to expect on return visits
Documents	ID and proof of address for everyone	Ask which documents to bring next time
Questions	Plenty, and that is expected	Fewer, and you may be the one helping a newcomer

Good questions to ask at the front desk

The front desk is your best source of information, so use your first visit to ask a few questions. Write them down beforehand if that helps.

• Which documents should I bring next time?
• Are there other services here this week that could help my family?
• When is the Clothing Closet open?
• Is there a way I can volunteer or give back later?

You can also find the team, the hours and the latest notices on our Friendship House Food Bank (opens in a new tab) page, which is a good one to bookmark.

Making the most of what you take home

A bag of groceries goes further with a plan. Sort everything when you get home, put the oldest items at the front of the cupboard, and think about which ingredients go together.

Our food bank meal ideas (opens in a new tab) turn common pantry staples into simple, filling meals. Remember that a best before date is about quality, not safety.

Pair your visit with a hot meal

Friendship House is more than a Food Bank. A hot meal is served Monday to Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., including Wednesday, so you can eat before you head home.

If you need clothing too, the Clothing Closet is open Tuesday to Thursday, 10 to 11:30 a.m. See our guide to free baby clothes and family clothing in Brantford (opens in a new tab).

Still confused about the different kinds of help? Our explainer on food bank vs soup kitchen (opens in a new tab) sets out the difference in one table.

If you need help on another day

The Friendship House Food Bank runs only on Wednesdays. If you need food on another day, or need help with housing or bills as well, dial 2-1-1.

211 Ontario (opens in a new tab) is free and confidential, and it can point you to food programs and other services across Brantford.

A word to anyone who feels ashamed

Needing a food bank says nothing about your worth. Working parents, students, seniors and people between jobs all walk through our doors.

One day, when things are steadier, you may find yourself bringing a bag of groceries back to donate. Some people do, and that is how a community looks after itself. You can see how on our ways to donate to Friendship House (opens in a new tab) page.

Frequently asked questions

The hardest part is usually walking in the door the first time. After that, it is simply a Wednesday morning with neighbours who are glad you came.