Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods (SFEN) stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, deeply rooted in a call to service inspired by the transformative legacy of the pre-COVID Feeding Fort Erie faith communities food outreach model. SFEN has amplified this impact, but has also forged a dynamic coalition of local, Regional and Government organizations that identify as being able to support those facing additional challenges associated with living with low income, a disability, aging, or being a newcomer.
SFEN is celebrated as a powerful community-driven catalyst for change. Committed to building a healthier, more vibrant Greater Fort Erie, SFEN understands the power that collaboration at a grassroots level can have to support one neighbour at a time for the purposes of breaking the cycle of poverty. Join this mission serving hundreds of our neighbours from 310 Central Ave – St. Michael’s Parish Hall. Together, stronger!
CORPORATE CHARITABLE OBJECTS
- To relieve poverty by providing meals and supplying hygiene products and other necessities to individuals suffering from poverty in the Fort Erie area
- To relieve conditions attributable to being aged by providing advocacy services to aged persons who have difficulty performing everyday tasks; and
- To relieve conditions attributable to being aged by providing social and recreational activities to facilitate community engagement to aged persons who are experiencing social isolation and loneliness.
Saint Michael Roman Catholic Church is our major donor – thank you for offering your hall for our outreach programs. Check them out at www.stmichaelfe.com
Thank You, OTF!
SFEN is proud to share that we have received an Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Capital Grant to bolster our Community Connections initiative. System navigation is a cornerstone of our work, [...]
Thanks Rotary Club of Fort Erie – $2000 Donation!
How do you spell Community Hero? Simple: R-O-T-A-R-I-A-N. An over-the-top shout-out to the Rotary Club of Fort Erie for their incredible $2000 donation! This isn't just a cheque, it's the [...]
Thank you Fort Erie Public Library
The MITTEN TREE is helping keep hands warm this winter! Fort Erie Public Library led a community "winter ready" initiative from Nov. 15th - Dec. 13th.
The Barrel Gives Back
THANKS to the Barrel Restaurant for giving back to the community by supporting SFEN through their "Tiramisu" sales during the month of December.
Service Canada will be at 310 Central Ave Hall on designated Wednesdays to help you apply for the programs and services listed below.
If you or a neighbour need help with:
– Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
– Canada Disability Benefit (CDB)
– Old Age Security (OAS)
– Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
– Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Drop by anytime during the scheduled hours for support!
NEED HELP? WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!
MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS ACCESS
(Toll Free) 1‑866‑550‑5205
ASSAULTED WOMEN’S HELPLINE
Mobile calls to: #SAFE (#7233)
(Toll Free) 1‑866‑863‑0511
DISTRESS CENTRE
For depression, distress and crisis.
24‑hour help line: 905‑688‑3711
Fort Erie: 905‑382‑0689
CRIME STOPPERS
(Toll Free) 1‑800‑222‑8477 (TIPS)
niagaratips.com
Text 274637 (CRIMES), keyword: Niagara, then your tip
GAMBLER’S ANONYMOUS
905‑351‑1616
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (AA)
Niagara North and South
905‑682‑2140
KIDS HELP PHONE
Service for youth
• 416‑586‑5437
• 1‑800‑668‑6868 (Crisis Line)
kidshelpphone.ca
IMPACT 2025
FOOD BANK DATA
Food bank visits in Canada have DOUBLED in six years.
Nearly 2.2M visits to Canada’s food banks in March 2025, the highest number in history.
More than 1 in 4 people in Canada now live in FOOD INSECURE HOUSEHOLDS.
With approximately 37,000 people living in FORT ERIE, 9250 are living with FOOD INSECURITY.
25% of households who rely on food banks are two parent families.
19% of people relying on FOOD BANKS are EMPLOYED. An all time high.
*Taken from/foodbankscanada.ca
Strategic Plan
2025 – 2027
1. Food and Product Distribution Programs
- Provide a WEEKLY WEDNESDAY community meal
- Provide at least one sit-down meal annually
- Increase access to fresh produce
- Offer an as-needed emergency food pantry
- Continue to provide a Morning Mingle station -Bagels/treats with Coffee/tea
- Provide essential living needs as is possible
- Sustain and further develop a street outreach response for those living unsheltered
- Explore a model to support a “warming ” station
- Continue to distribute personal hygiene products.
2. Community Connection Supports
- Develop “Neighbour Response Team plan”, through a triage model identifying themost immediate next step support .
- Engage with and increase the number of service providers who come into our community hub.
- Remain a lead and active voice in community conversations focusing on food security, solutions to support the unsheltered, and better coordination between service providers in Fort Erie
- Support our senior neighbours through engagement with “ Seniors Stepping Out” events.
- Increase opportunities for more social engagement to help lower the barriers associated with isolation and loneliness
3. Human Resources
- Develop job descriptions for possible future lead contract positions:
- Community Meals,
- Cafe/Warming Station,
- Community Connections
4. Fund and Resource Development
- Align donors/grants/ resources to our programs.
- Continue to increase collaborative support partnerships
- Develop wedsite to help match giving hearts to specific programs
5. Communication
- Expand our presence in the community.
