DUNNVILLE—What began as an idea over tea has grown into a program that has already delivered more than 3,000 meals to people facing food insecurity in Dunnville.
Staff, volunteers, community leaders, and supporters gathered recently at True Experience to celebrate an $11,100 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation that is helping the organization expand its True Nourishment Program – a meal initiative designed to support members struggling with the rising cost of food.
The grant allowed True Experience to purchase a double-wide stand-up freezer and a food sealing machine, equipment that has already increased the organization’s ability to prepare, store, and distribute meals.
Executive Director Rhonda Geyer said the program began with a conversation about the growing financial pressures facing many in the community.
“Last year, I had an individual come … to have a conversation about the ever-rising cost of groceries and the struggle they were having making ends meet,” she said during the grant announcement event. “That individual wasn’t looking for sympathy or a handout, but looking for ideas – solutions – how we could work together to make life a bit easier.”
From that discussion came the True Nourishment Program, which provides home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers in the organization’s certified kitchen. Members place orders and pick up their frozen meals the following week.
The program operates on a cost-recovery model, keeping prices low while ensuring members have access to nutritious food options. Costs range from $2 to $5, depending on the item.
Geyer said the organization already had a kitchen and a group of volunteers ready to help. The challenge was how to store and package meals as the program grew.
“We quickly ran into our very first barrier – what are we going to do with all this food?” she said.
The initial solution was a small freezer, followed by a second one as demand increased. However, the program soon outgrew both.
“The program was expanding in leaps and bounds and we simply didn’t have enough storage,” she said.
That need led Geyer to apply for funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The successful application allowed the organization to purchase a larger freezer, along with a heat-sealing machine that allows meals to be packaged in biodegradable containers that stack efficiently and stay fresh longer.
“Thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, that idea became a reality,” Geyer said. “That means more meals stored, more meals shared, and more people in the community knowing that when times get tough, they’re not alone.”
Since launching on April 1, 2025, the program has already produced more than 3,000 meals.
For participants like Mark, the program has made a meaningful difference.
“The meals are awesome. They really are,” he said. “It’s a well-rounded group of different meals. You’re not starting with the same thing every night.”
He said preparing meals at home while managing a tight budget can be difficult, and the program has helped ease that challenge.
“This is so important for someone like me who was having a tough time making a go of it when you’re shopping the stores and trying to make a meal,” he said. “This came out of nowhere, and I’m a huge fan.”
Mark said the program has grown as more people discover it: “It took a while to get the momentum going, and once it did, people try it and then they get hooked.”
Much of the work is done by a dedicated volunteer team affectionately known as “the moms,” who coordinate cooking, ordering, and preparation.
Volunteer coordinator Audrey Nie said the program began when Geyer shared the idea with volunteers over tea.
“She told us about starting this food program with nutritious meals at reasonable prices for our True Experience family,” Nie said.
The volunteers quickly began gathering recipes and planning menus.
“The cooking began very quickly. The orders came in and our True Nourishment Program was on its way to being very successful,” Nie said.
As the number of orders increased, so did the need for additional storage space. The new grant has helped solve that issue.
“With our beautiful double freezer and food sealer, we were able to provide more meals,” she said.
Nie said volunteers often hear directly from members about the difference the program makes: “People come up and say, ‘Can I hug you just to say thank you for all you do? I’ve never eaten so good.’”
Local and provincial leaders attending the announcement also highlighted the growing importance of programs addressing food insecurity.
“Food insecurity is a real issue,” said MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, noting the issue extends across the province and country. She said programs like the one at True Experience ensure people receive nutritious meals that support their health and wellbeing.
“When there’s a problem, you guys just roll up your sleeves and get the job done,” she said to True Experience. “When the Marks of the world are coming here, they’re getting a nutritious meal, and that sets them up for a great day and a good life.”
George Santos, a volunteer grant review team member with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, said the application stood out during the review process.
“It wasn’t about the amount of the dollar,” he said. “It was the way the application was put forth and the work behind it that caught our eye.”
Santos said visiting the organization reinforced why the grant was awarded.
“When I walked in here, I could feel the love and respect,” he said. “You’ve nurtured something special in this community.”
Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said the program is an example of how community partnerships can address local challenges.
“By providing nutritious food and support to registered members, the True Experience nutrition program strengthens not only individual wellbeing but the health and resilience of our entire county,” she said.
For Geyer, the program’s growth shows how simple ideas can lead to meaningful change when a community works together.
“Sometimes the solution to big problems starts with something very small,” she said. “A conversation, an idea, and a community willing to believe in it.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the provincial government, invests in community initiatives across Ontario aimed at building healthy and vibrant communities.
For more information on the programs and services offered by True Experience, visit trueexperience.ca.
