Inclusive Multicultural Food Support at Moncton Cares: Expanding Access Through Groceries and Frozen Meals
At Moncton Cares, food is more than nourishment—it is dignity, comfort, and belonging. Through an inclusive, multicultural approach, we support newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals by ensuring access to food that is culturally familiar, nutritious, and accessible.With the support of community partners and donors, Moncton Cares continues to strengthen food security in Moncton through grocery assistance and ready-to-heat meals designed for people facing barriers to cooking. Supporting 500+ Individuals Every Month In partnership with FeedNB, Moncton Cares currently provides grocery support to more than 500 individuals every month. This includes newcomers and immigrants navigating settlement, refugees rebuilding their lives, seniors, students, single parents, and individuals experiencing food insecurity due to economic, health, or housing challenges. Our inclusive food model ensures that support reaches people in ways that are practical, respectful, and dignified. Introducing Inclusive Multicultural Frozen Meals (December 2025) Starting December 2025, Moncton Cares expanded its multicultural food program by introducing inclusive frozen meals at our food bank. These meals are designed for individuals who may not be able to cook due to long work hours, limited kitchen access, health conditions, disabilities, temporary housing, or emotional stress. By offering ready-to-heat options, we ensure that food support remains accessible—regardless of circumstance. Multicultural Frozen Meals Available at Our Food Bank The Moncton Cares food bank currently offers the following inclusive multicultural frozen meals: Chana Masala (Chickpea Curry) – A nutritious, plant-based meal inspired by South Asian cuisine Tomato Soup – A comforting and widely familiar option enjoyed across cultures Aloo Paratha (Flatbread with Smashed Potato Filling) – A culturally familiar staple for many newcomer and immigrant families These options reflect our commitment to food diversity, inclusion, and equity. Why Inclusive Multicultural Food Matters for Newcomers and Immigrants Food insecurity affects people differently. Many newcomers, immigrants, and refugees face additional barriers that traditional food programs do not always address. An inclusive food system recognizes that: Not everyone has access to a full kitchen Cultural familiarity in food matters for mental and emotional well-being Dignity and choice are essential parts of food security By offering multicultural groceries and frozen meals, Moncton Cares helps reduce cultural isolation, supports newcomer integration, and reinforces a sense of belonging. How Moncton Cares Builds Inclusive Food Security Moncton Cares supports inclusive food security by: Providing grocery assistance to 500+ individuals each month Offering multicultural and culturally familiar food options Introducing ready-to-heat frozen meals for accessibility Partnering with FeedNB to expand reach and impact This approach ensures that food support is not one-size-fits-all, but responsive to diverse community needs. How You Can Support Inclusive Multicultural Food Programs Make a Donation to Support Food Security Inclusive food programs are made possible through community generosity. Your donation helps Moncton Cares sustain grocery support for 500+ individuals per month, prepare multicultural frozen meals, and support newcomers, immigrants, and refugees with dignity. 👉 Donate today to support inclusive food access: Donate Quick Answers Does Moncton Cares offer multicultural food support? Yes. Moncton Cares provides inclusive multicultural food through groceries and frozen meals. Who benefits from Moncton Cares food programs? Newcomers, immigrants, refugees, and low-income individuals in Moncton. How many people are supported each month? More than 500 individuals receive grocery support monthly. When were frozen meals introduced? In December 2025. What frozen meals are available? Chana Masala, Tomato Soup, and Aloo Paratha. At Moncton Cares, we believe food security must be inclusive, multicultural, and dignified. Through partnerships, donor support, and community care, we continue to nourish people, strengthen belonging, and build a more inclusive Moncton—one meal at a time.Thank you for supporting this work.
Exciting Developments at Moncton Cares: Join the Movement of Volunteer Obboarding!
Last Tuesday was a day of inspiration and connection as Moncton Cares celebrated a dynamic volunteer onboarding training session! We’re bursting with pride to share that our volunteer database has now soared past 800 passionate individuals! This vibrant and diverse group represents a multitude of countries, weaving a rich tapestry of cultures and experiences that truly strengthens our community. Empowering Our Volunteers! As part of our ongoing mission to foster a caring environment, we launched this dynamic training initiative to ensure that every volunteer is equipped with the essential skills and knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact. Our program is designed not only to provide invaluable resources but also to empower participants to excel while showcasing best practices in service delivery. Highlighted Focus Areas of Our Training Experience: During our latest onboarding session, we proudly welcomed 20 enthusiastic new volunteers who are ready to make waves in our community! Our training covered vital topics, including: Food Safety: We passionately delve into the essential practices necessary for safe food handling and preparation, nurturing the health and wellbeing of those we serve. Empathy and Compassion: We believe that empathy is the heart of our mission. We emphasize the importance of showing compassion in every interaction, creating a nurturing environment where everyone feels valued, seen, and heard. Privacy and Confidentiality: Our volunteers are educated on the crucial importance of respecting individual privacy and safeguarding sensitive information, reinforcing our commitment to a safe space for all. Following this enriching training, comprehensive police background checks are conducted to ensure the utmost safety for our vulnerable populations. This includes thorough criminal and vulnerability sector checks, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to providing a secure and supportive environment for everyone involved. A Journey of Continuous Growth! At Moncton Cares, we wholeheartedly recognize that volunteer training is an ongoing adventure! To further enhance our volunteers’ skills and contributions, we are excited to hold eight consecutive training sessions that will support their development and growth. Join Us in Making a Meaningful Difference! Volunteering with Moncton Cares grants you the incredible opportunity to connect with a diverse group of dedicated individuals, learn invaluable new skills, and give back to the community in impactful ways. Together, we can cultivate a compassionate and inclusive atmosphere that uplifts everyone—regardless of their background. Are you ready to be a force for positive change? Join us at our next onboarding session and become part of our multicultural workforce, united in our mission to care for and uplift our community! For more information about the exciting volunteer opportunities awaiting you, visit our website or reach out to us directly. Together, let’s continue to grow, nurture, and celebrate the remarkable spirit of our community!
Canada’s Brain Drain: Why Highly Skilled Immigrants Aren’t Staying (And What It Means for Our Future)
Canada has long been celebrated as a beacon for global talent, attracting highly skilled and educated immigrants to enrich our society and fuel our economy. But a new report from The Conference Board of Canada, “The Leaky Bucket 2025,” reveals a troubling reality: our immigration system is struggling to retain these valuable newcomers, leading to a significant and persistent brain drain. This isn’t just a minor issue; it’s a critical challenge that could impact Canada’s economic growth and competitiveness for decades to come. The Alarming Numbers: A Deep Dive into the “Leaky Bucket” The report’s findings, alongside other recent studies, paint a stark picture, showing that the very individuals Canada targets for their skills are the most likely to depart: A Fifth of Immigrants Leave – And It’s Worsening for the Highly Skilled: Over the past 25 years, a staggering one in five immigrants has left Canada through onward migration. The risk of departure is highest in the crucial first five years after landing, a period deemed “critical for retention” by the Conference Board. For higher-skilled immigrants, this risk is even more pronounced: they are more than twice as likely to leave Canada within five years than their lower-skilled counterparts. The Doctorate Dilemma: Highest Education, Highest Mobility: The data clearly shows a direct correlation between education level and the likelihood of leaving. Immigrants with doctorates are nearly twice as likely to leave Canada within five years compared to those with a bachelor’s degree. Within 25 years of landing, this disparity becomes even more pronounced, with doctorates more than twice as likely to depart than immigrants with secondary education or less. This challenges the very premise of selecting highly educated individuals, as their global marketability means they are quick to seek better opportunities elsewhere if unfulfilled in Canada. Critical Occupations Are Vulnerable to Outflow: Many of the occupations projected to be most in-demand over the next decade are experiencing the weakest retention rates. These are the very sectors Canada needs to innovate and grow: Legislators and senior managers top the list, with an astonishing 35% leaving within 25 years, far exceeding the overall 19% average. Business and finance managers see 10% depart within 5 years, rising to 32% within 25 years. Immigrants in Information and Communications Technology (ICT)—including computer, software, and web designers—experience 7% onward migration in 5 years, escalating to 19-21% within 25 years. Even essential roles like engineering and architecture managers and manufacturing and processing engineers face significant losses, with 6-7% leaving within 5 years and 15% within 25 years. Healthcare professionals, a critical sector facing severe shortages, see approximately 25% of immigrants with relevant experience depart within 25 years. This is particularly alarming given that immigrants account for a substantial portion of Canada’s healthcare workforce. Beyond the Numbers: The Deeper Issues Driving Departure The “Leaky Bucket” report and other research point to several systemic issues that contribute to these departures: Underemployment and De-skilling: A significant proportion of highly skilled immigrants in Canada find themselves working in jobs for which they are overqualified or outside their field of expertise. According to a 2022 Statistics Canada report on immigrant economic outcomes, immigrants with university degrees are significantly more likely to be overqualified for their jobs than Canadian-born graduates, especially in their early years in Canada. This underemployment leads to professional dissatisfaction, lower earnings, and a feeling of wasted potential, prompting many to look elsewhere. Credential Recognition Barriers: Despite Canada’s efforts, the process of recognizing foreign credentials remains a major hurdle. Many highly skilled professionals, particularly in regulated fields like healthcare and engineering, face lengthy, costly, and often opaque processes to get their qualifications recognized, forcing them into lower-skilled jobs or out of their professions entirely. This delay in full integration can be a powerful driver for onward migration. Economic Struggle Drives Departure: The Conference Board report highlights that stagnant or declining earnings are a major predictor of onward migration. Immigrants with doctorates facing no income growth are nearly three times more likely to leave over 15 years than those with bachelor’s degrees in a similar situation. Unemployment further compounds this, with 4.6% of unemployed immigrants with doctorates leaving within five years, compared to 2.8% for those with secondary education or less. This underscores that economic integration is paramount. Family Reunification and Social Integration: While less quantifiable, anecdotal evidence and some qualitative studies suggest that challenges in family reunification processes or difficulties in forming strong social ties can also contribute to onward migration. Immigrants often seek holistic well-being, not just economic opportunity. Global Competition for Talent: Canada isn’t the only country vying for skilled immigrants. Nations like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom offer competitive salaries, faster career progression, or specific opportunities that might draw immigrants away, especially those who feel their skills are not fully utilized in Canada. The Broader Impact: More Than Just Lost Individuals These departures are not just statistics; they represent a tangible loss to Canada’s future. With a record-low fertility rate of 1.26 births per woman and an aging population, Canada relies heavily on immigration to sustain its workforce and economic dynamism. The federal government’s decision to decrease immigration targets by up to 24% in the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, combined with this outflow of skilled talent, is projected to slow labor force growth and reduce real GDP by an estimated $16.2 billion in 2026. This situation also creates a paradox: Canada’s selection policies prioritize highly skilled and educated individuals, yet these are often the most globally mobile and sought-after professionals who may find better opportunities or more aligned career paths elsewhere. In critical sectors, immigrants already make up a significant portion of the workforce—for example, 24% of construction managers, 25% of healthcare workers, 42% of physicists and astronomers, and 57% of chemists are immigrants. Losing these professionals deepens existing labor shortages and undermines Canada’s capacity for innovation and growth. The financial cost of attracting, processing, and integrating an immigrant, only for them to leave, also represents a significant public investment lost.Plugging the Leaks: A Call to ActionThe “Leaky Bucket 2025” report isn’t just about identifying problems; it offers concrete recommendations to transform insight into action: Develop a National Retention Policy Framework: Beyond simply selecting immigrants, Canada needs a comprehensive national strategy with clear targets and performance metrics to guide retention efforts.
