History

The experience of hunger is deeply felt and long remembered.

In the 1920s, many farmers had emigrated to North American from Russia. They sent food aid to people in Eastern Europe who were suffering from hunger as the result of the Russian Revolution. This movement led to the creation of the Mennonite Central Committee.

In 1976, amid growing world food needs and a bountiful harvest, MCC created a pilot project to share with those less fortunate. In 1983 the project was re-organized, opened to other church agencies, and re-established as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank was formed in time to make a significant contribution to alleviating famine during the Ethiopia crisis in 1984.Today, more than 1.1 million tonnes of food have been provided to people who are hungry, in more than 80 countries around the world.

15 church agencies, representing 32 denominations with over 17,000 congregations make up the membership of Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Foodgrains Bank in 2003, a short history of the organization was compiled including profiles of key people and events.  Click here to download the booklet. 

Click on a church member below to learn more about their involvement.

ADRA Canada (Adventist Development & Relief Agency) - June, 1990
Canadian Baptist Ministries - April, 1983
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace - June, 2007
Canadian Lutheran World Relief - April, 1983
Emergency Relief & Development Overseas (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada) - January, 1984
Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada - June, 1988
Mennonite Central Committee - April, 1983
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries - June, 1988
Presbyterian World Service & Development - June, 1992
Primate's World Relief & Development & Development Fund (Anglican Church of Canada) - June, 2007
The Salvation Army - June, 1986
The United Church of Canada - January, 1984
World Relief Canada - June, 1991
World Renew/Christian Reformed World Relief Committee   - April, 1983