Burlington Teen’s Porch Pickup Helps Make Food Access Easier for Local Families

By: Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca

During the busy holiday season, when many teenagers are focused on school breaks and celebrations, 14-year-old Ayden Zbikowski chose to use his time to support families facing food insecurity in Burlington.

On Sunday, Dec. 21, Ayden completed a single-day porch pickup he personally organized in support of the Burlington Food Bank. After delivering more than 200 flyers throughout the Brant Hills and Tyandaga neighbourhoods on Friday, Dec. 19, Ayden returned with his father, Arek Zbikowski, to collect donations left on residents’ porches. By the end of the day, the effort resulted in 289 pounds of food being gathered for the local food bank.

Ayden said the goal of the porch pickup was to make donating as simple and accessible as possible, particularly during the Christmas season when many families are in greater need of support. By bringing the donation process directly to people’s homes, the initiative removed common barriers such as transportation, limited time, or uncertainty about how to give.

The porch pickup is one part of Ayden’s broader, youth-led food drive initiative, which has already raised more than 1,278 pounds of food and $925 in 2025. Community members can continue to support his efforts through aydenfooddrive.com or by following along on Instagram at @aydenzburl.

The food collected through Ayden’s drive supports the Burlington Food Bank, an organization that plays a critical role in ensuring food access is dignified, respectful, and inclusive for all community members. The Burlington Food Bank provides a range of food options, including canned and packaged goods as well as fresh items such as milk, produce, meat, and bread, helping families meet their nutritional needs with choice and variety.

In addition to the food it offers, the Burlington Food Bank places a strong emphasis on privacy and respect. First-time registrations and initial intakes are conducted privately to protect confidentiality, and clients are expected to treat staff and volunteers with mutual courtesy and understanding, fostering a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the doors.

To become a member of the Burlington Food Bank, individuals are asked to bring something with their name and address on it, along with identification for each family member. Once registered, clients are able to visit once every three weeks during regular business hours.

The Burlington Food Bank is located at 1A – 1254 Plains Road East in Burlington. Regular hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the food bank closed on Sundays. The organization will be closed for the holidays from Dec. 25, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026.

Through initiatives like Ayden’s porch pickup, local residents are reminded that community care does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes, meaningful impact begins with a few flyers, a neighbourhood walk, and a young person determined to make food access easier for others.