About Us
Pelham Cares is a nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families in Pelham, Ontario by providing food, support services, and referrals.
We are more than a Food Bank, offering unique services to residents of Pelham, and are constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of our community.
In 2024, Pelham Cares was the first food bank in Niagara to be accredited under Food Banks Canada’s Standards of Excellence program. This means we met or exceeded a set of 78 national standards demonstrating our commitment to high-quality, effective food bank operations. Food Banks Canada is a network of over 4,750 agencies across the country, working so that everyone has access to safe, nutritious food.
Our Mission
To help the residents of Pelham help each other.
Our Vision
A town where residents achieve optimal wellbeing, independence and community wellbeing.
Our Values
Compassion, Respect, Integrity, Accountability, Collaboration.
Our Affiliates
Pelham Cares is incredibly fortunate to have so many caring community partners, volunteers, and supporters who make our work possible. We are deeply grateful for the individuals, families, businesses, service clubs, faith groups, schools, and organizations who contribute their time, energy, resources, and compassion to help us serve our community.
We could not exist without these generous partnerships — both large and small, visible and behind-the-scenes. Every donation, every hour volunteered, every act of kindness helps us make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who rely on our programs and services.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with Pelham Cares and helping us build a stronger, more caring community together.
2025-2026 Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Pelham Cares Inc. is composed of dedicated men and women who contribute a wealth of knowledge, skills, and years of community service to the organization. Each member serves as a volunteer.
Standing Left to Right: Nancy Yungblut – Vice President & Fundraising Chair; Greg Lewis – President & Chair; Lori Grande – Director at Large
Seated Left to Right: Thom Hounsell – Secretary; Susan Mark – Treasurer; Michael DiTommaso – Director at Large
Pelham Cares Volunteers & Staff
Pelham Cares relies on many dedicated volunteers, most of whom help out every week. They keep the Food Bank running, drive clients in their own vehicles, organize seasonal donations like winter clothing and Christmas toys, maintain the building, and serve on the Board, among many other tasks. The organization depends on these generous community members to continue its work.
Staff members at Pelham Cares include a full-time Executive Director, Gayle Sears, and four part-time staff members.
Our History
Initiated by a letter to then Mayor of Pelham Eric Bergenstein by Janet Hassall, Social Worker with Niagara Region Home Care, various members of churches and service organizations gathered to consider establishing a Social Service Committee in Pelham. A steering committee then met throughout the following year to identify needed services, a Board of Directors and volunteers, and raise money for operating expenses. This Committee was named “Pelham Cares”.
The first official Pelham Cares meeting took place on January 12, 1983, chaired by Eric Bergenstein, during which the Constitution was accepted, the Executive was elected and orientation for volunteers was developed. Pelham Cares Inc. became a registered non-profit corporation on April 18, 1983. Initial services offered were food bank, and the ‘Friendly Visitor’ program; home visiting including drives to errands and appointments. The organization was supported by 50 member volunteers.
Pelham Cares opened our first office at High Park School on Balfour St., as a result of a New Horizon (Federal Gov’t) grant.
During this time, in addition to the food bank and Friendly Visitor program, Pelham Cares met various needs in the community, such as snow shovelling by students for seniors and Christmas hampers. Meetings continued to be held at local churches. Many community events supported the needs of Pelham Cares, such as:
- Car Wash & Community Fund Night at Fonthill Baptist Church
- Pancake Breakfast at the Fonthill IGA
- Lini Groll book sale at the Fonthill Library
The first Pelham Community Food Drive was organized by Gerry Berkhout. During the depths of a recession there was a pressing need for neighbours to help each other. Gerry would continue to organize this annual food drive for the next 25 years! This would grow to become the primary source of non-perishable donations to Pelham Cares.
By 2002 Pelham Cares had again evolved services to meet the needs of the community, to include; Food bank & deliveries, Christmas and Easter Hampers, sponsoring children for local Summer Camp, respite for families, referrals to other social service agencies, assistance with food and clothing at times of emergency, and transportation to appointments. And from time to time; organizing blood donor clinics and baby-sitting courses, and student lawn cutting / snow shovelling.
In April 2012, Pelham Cares was awarded the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteering.
The long-time dream of having a permanent home, to eliminate the ongoing need to relocate, was realized in 2014! Pelham Cares’ new facility, located at 191 Hwy 20 East Fonthill, was purchased in March 2014. Services were up and running in the new location in April. The campaign to raise funds for long-term viability had been in the works for several years. This was the first fundraising campaign run by Pelham Cares, and included the Home for Good Gala.
In 2015 the Home for Good Capital Campaign concluded. With the support of local service groups, and the citizens of Pelham, over $250,000 was raised for the purchase of the new home. Capital donations from this campaign are recognized on the Home for Good – Donor Wall, located in the Rotary Club of Fonthill Board Room, at the Pelham Cares location.
With the retirement of Gerry Berkhout, Pelham Cares assumed responsibility for the annual Pelham Community Food Drive. Local service clubs were brought on board to assist: Fenwick Lions, Fonthill Lions Club, and Fonthill & District Kinsmen Club. Held on the 1st Saturday of December, over 300 volunteers joined us to make this day happen!
In 2018, Pelham Cares celebrated 35 years of service to the community of Pelham:
- 20 Volunteer Drivers provided their time and their vehicles to transport clients to medical and related appointments;
- 368 requests for transportation were fulfilled;
- 461 food hampers were prepared and distributed to Pelham families;
- 45 families experienced the spirit of Christmas;
- 24 families enjoyed a special dinner at Easter;
- 35 Turkeys and Hams and fixings were distributed to families at Thanksgiving;
- 37 children received 66 subsidies through the Youth Services program to participate in programs such as Ballet, Rowing, Soccer, Tennis, Summer Camp,Basketball & school programs;
- Over 50 registered volunteers drove approximately 21,825 km and contributed 3,935 hours of service
Pelham Cares proudly celebrated 40 years of service in 2023. A luncheon was held to highlight the many accomplishments and to thank our dedicated staff, volunteers and community members/groups. To better reflect today’s Pelham Cares, we introduced a new logo and tag line “Food Support Hope”. In addition, a bench was placed at the Meridian Community Centre to recognize all of our volunteers, both past and present. The bittersweet aspect of this milestone is realizing that 40 years after our inception, the need for our services has never been greater. Pelham Cares will no doubt continue to rise to challenges presented in the coming years.
Annual Reports
Pelham Cares Inc. is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency as a charitable organization. Our financial statements are audited yearly by a firm of Chartered Professional Accountants in accordance with accounting standards for not-for profit organizations. For access to current and historical publicly available information, please click here.
For additional information on Pelham Cares’ recent financial statements or auditors report, please email your request to info@pelhamcares.org.
Years
Children's Christmas Gifts
Medical drives annually
individuals served at food bank
Get In Touch
Location: 191 Hwy 20 East
P.O. Box 1173
Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0
Telephone: (905) 892-5300
Email: info@pelhamcares.org
Hours of Operation:
Weekdays 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
(Tuesdays until 4:30 pm)
Closed weekends