Author Archives: Lauren Skippen

  1. Agency Profile: Visiting Community Share Food Bank

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    It was a beautiful spring morning when I arrived at the Church of Ascension in Toronto’s Don Mills neighbourhood. I was there to visit Community Share Food Bank, one of the larger North York Harvest member agencies, who are trying to bring a higher degree of dignity to the food bank experience.

    If you’re like me, you’ve probably created a composite sketch in your mind of what the typical food bank would look like: cramped quarters, long lines, and worried faces might come to mind. But walking in the front door of Community Share I was struck by the warm and familiar environment that was in front of me. I was greeted by several smiling volunteers who walked me past tables and chairs that were arranged throughout the large gymnasium space to create a waiting area that felt like a neighbourhood café. Clients sipped coffee, ate some cake and chatted with neighbours and volunteers.

    “Sometimes people come just for the fellowship”, said Sherrie, a delightfully enthusiastic volunteer who has worked at community share for the past two years. “We have clients who will come multiple times before they take any donations; they just feel accepted and want to be part of a welcoming environment.”

    Sherrie is one of the nearly 100 volunteers that help support Community Share’s weekly programs. The food bank runs twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and offers clients pre-made food hampers, as well as access to a clothing closet, and a referral service. On any given day they can serve up to 70 families.

    Beyond food and clothing distribution the organization has evolved into a multi-purpose community agency partnering with neighbourhood organizations like Better Living, Overland School, Don Mills Family Health Team and Toronto Employment Services. They are currently working on building a community kitchen program in partnership with the Flemington Community Health Centre, and have a very successful and beautiful garden which provides produce to the food bank. They recently offered a Safe Food Handling training certification course that was well attended, and in the near future hope to offer a container gardening workshop.

    When I remarked to Sherrie how upbeat the mood of the room was, she seemed happy, but unsurprised. “We try to make coming to the food bank a more intimate experience. We get to know our clients and try to find out what they need. Maybe that’s trying to remember their taste in food, or keeping an eye out for specialized clothing items like a warmer coat or maternity clothes.”

    With food bank use up across the province, Community Share has seen an influx in first time users, and from what I saw it’s clear that they have endeavoured to make it their initial experience a dignified one. “Obviously most of these people are not in a place where they want to be”, said Sherrie. “We try to be extra welcoming, because it’s got to be difficult for new users, the idea that this is reality.”

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    When I spoke with Melissa, a client, she was candid about how hard the adjustment can be. “Many of the people who come here are smart people who had good jobs. But things can happen. I know, because they happened to me” she said. “I worked at a corporate company for 40 years, but had to leave after a very bad bout of depression. Soon my money ran out and I had to start coming here, which was difficult at first, but becomes easier after some repetition. It helps that everyone is so nice, and non-judgemental. “

    Like many of the clients, Melissa also volunteers her time at Community Share, feeling a need to contribute to the place that had provided so much assistance. “I can’t imagine just coming here and getting the food. Being a volunteer gives me sense that I’m giving back, and working for what I’m getting”

    When it comes to food distribution, Community Share works with North York Harvest Food Bank, and also has a small purchasing budget to make sure their shelves are full. Joyce, one of the longest serving volunteers has been with Community Share since the beginning and has seen first-hand the progress the organization has made. “I started volunteering here about 12 years ago, and it’s been exciting to watch whole thing grow over time” she told me.  “The process has become so much more organized, and standardized which has allowed us to establish a better and more regular service”.

    Still, she stressed that working at an organization so dependent on donations can be hard, and that sometimes the demand can outweigh their ability to provide. “One of our biggest problems is getting too much of one type of food, and not enough of another. We are always short on canned fish, canned fruits and vegetables, chickpeas and lentils. Diapers as well are something that our clients are consistently looking for, that we can’t always deliver.”

    Around 11:30 am the food bank began to shut down for the day. Some clients had left by this point, but others stuck around to help pack up and share a few words with many of the volunteers. The warm, smiles that had greeted me when I first arrived had not faded away from frustration. Instead, people seemed more optimistic than ever. It was clear to me that Community Share has become more to its users then a place to get their next meal.  To them it represented acceptance, understanding and hope for the future.

    To support our member community agencies like Community Share, please make a donation to the North York Harvest Food Bank today.

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    Please note: some of the individuals interviewed for this piece have had their names changed for privacy.

  2. What does the Federal Budget mean for donors in Canada?

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    If you’ve ever made a donation to a charity in Canada, you know that your gift is usually eligible to receive a tax receipt. This probably wasn’t your biggest motivator for giving, but it helps. This week you might have read about the new Federal Budget, and like us, you might be curious about what some of these changes will mean for donors and charities in Canada.  The good news is a series of new tax rules will make it easier than ever for you to support your favourite charities in the future.

    The biggest change? As of 2017, you will be able to donate proceeds from the sale of your private company or real estate without having to pay capital gains tax. What does this mean? Well, let’s say you sold some property and were looking to donate a part of the proceeds to charity. Under the old laws you would first have had to pay a tax on the profit of the sale, and could then donate a portion of the remaining amount. With the new rules you could donate first and only pay tax on the remaining amount.  In short – more money to the charity and less money to the government (it’s estimated that the rule will cost the government about $265 million over the next four years).

    This change reminds me of the 2006 budget; when the federal government allowed us to donate shares in publicly traded companies, tax free. These changes boosted charitable giving in Canada by an estimated 1 billion dollars a year. It’s a staggering statistic, and now with even more ways to donate, charities are hoping that these numbers will continue to go up.

    Jacline Nyman, CEO of United Way Centraide Canada, seemed very optimistic about the results when quoted in Wednesday’s Globe and Mail.

    “If people can look at transferring major assets like real estate or private securities, this is a really exciting moment in time. In my experience, donors do look at their out-of-pocket expense post-tax, so it does really encourage a greater amount of philanthropy.”

    Not everyone is so optimistic. Michael McKnight, president and CEO of United Way of the Lower Mainland in British Columbia told Business Vancouver  he thinks “this will affect only a small number of larger donors and a few select charities.” Maybe he’s right.  What does seem likely is that these exemptions will be much more attractive to wealthier donors that typically give larger amounts to larger charities.

    One key charitable tax change not included in the budget was the proposed “Stretch Tax Credit for Charitable Giving”. The tax would reward donors with a more generous tax credit rate of 39%, if they increased their donations over and above what they had given on average in the last five years. The tax credit would also attract first time donors who would have receive a higher tax break for their donation.

    “At a time when giving has been stagnant or even declining, the Stretch would have made it easier for all Canadians to give more to their favourite causes,” said Bruce MacDonald, President and CEO of Imagine Canada. The advocacy group lobbied strongly in favour of the stretch tax and maintain that it should be a top priority for future budgets.

    At the end of the day the budget sends a clear message. The government believe in the power of your charitable donations and want to invest in Canadian philanthropy. Incentivizing your donations, and giving you more flexibility, should financially benefit the charitable sector, and aid our effort to help build strong communities. There is still work to be done, but this is a step in the right direction that should show positive impacts in the near future.

  3. Mother’s Day Food Sort

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    May 10th, 2015. North York Harvest Food Bank Mother’s Day Food Sort.

    Spring is definitely in the air, and with that comes picnics in the park, hot dogs at the ballpark, and barbecues in the backyard. It’s a time to celebrate family, but at the same time, it’s also a time for us to consider our neighbours need.

    That’s why North York Harvest is inviting you to our Mother’s Day Food Sort, where we’ll come together to package food for our member agencies. The event will also celebrate the conclusion of the Every Plate Full Food Drive, a national food drive that NYH is doing in partnership with Food Banks Canada.

    When: Sunday, May 10th, 2015. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

    Where: North York Harvest Lawrence Heights Community Food Bank. 640 Lawrence Avenue West M6A 1B1

    For more details please email fawad@northyorkharvest.com

     

  4. National Volunteer Week

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    Dear Volunteer,

    It’s National Volunteer Week in Canada, and we want to take a moment to highlight you, the people that fuel North York Harvest Food Bank’s mission, day in and day out.

    Each year North York Harvest Food Bank works with over 2000 volunteers, over 120 of which are “Core Volunteers” who come in at least once a month. You put together food hampers, answer the phones and ride on our trucks as delivery assistants. You are not just helpers, but ambassadors of our organization. You provide fresh perspectives and deepen our connection to the community of Northern Toronto. But most importantly, you share our vision of a city where no one goes hungry, and work tirelessly help families in need put food on the table.

    “At North York Harvest, we work with so many amazing volunteers”, says Lisa Anderson, Manager of Volunteer Services. “Your optimism, caring, hard-work, and grace are inspiring.”

    Your community and corporate volunteer groups also play a huge role in helping those struggling with hunger. So far this year we’ve seen you organize an incredible 341 food drives. During this same period we’ve also had over 1700 people attend our volunteer group food sorts, helping to sort and package 265,000 lbs of food. Martine Valentine, an employee of CIBC, and a long-time supporter of NYHFB, has been helping coordinate corporate food drives and public sorts in her office for years.

    “It is important to us as an organization to assist our neighbours in need”, says Martine. “We especially enjoy contributing in a positive way to the community in which we work. It is a great feeling to chip in, help out in anyway way we can, large or small. It gives us an appreciation for what we have, which is plenty.”

    So thank you, volunteers. Thank you for your hard work and for the lives you’ve changed. We wouldn’t have made it this far without your dedication and support.

    Click here to find out about current volunteer opportunities, or email lisa@northyorkharvest.com to get involved today.

  5. Trucking All The Way

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    When Gavin Turner returned to Toronto to settle down, he knew the metropolitan city had a different reality to share than what he had seen from the outside. But who would have thought that trucking around northern Toronto neighbourhoods as a driver’s assistant for North York Harvest would actually give Gavin that bigger picture?

    Since the Thanksgiving weekend in 2011, Gavin has been helping to drop-off food to member agencies and pick-up donations from stores and community supporters. Driving through the various neighbourhoods of Toronto, he shares, “It is hard to believe that there are people in Toronto who have to decide whether to pay rent or buy food. When I see people in need, instead of poverty I see humanity – what we can do to assist them.”

    When Gavin drops off the collected food, it definitely makes it beyond just the door-step. “I don’t allow the recipients to haul off all the food boxes. If I were in their shoes, I would like to be treated that way,” says Gavin.

    All those who know Gavin would also agree that he loves to talk and his route provides him many opportunities for just that. He does not get back into the truck without having a friendly chat with the coordinators at each delivery point.

    Currently studying Neuroscience at University of Toronto, Gavin says, “Volunteering is a great way for me to participate outside of the university setting and to experience the practicalities of day-to-day life for those who have difficulty getting enough food on their table and seeing parts of Toronto I would not otherwise of known were struggling.”

    Interested in becoming a volunteer?  Click here!

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  6. I Ran As A Carrot

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    We spoke with  Peter Zsissis, a long time supporter of North York Harvest Food Bank about his participation in the Scotiabank Water Front Marathon to raise money for those without enough food.

    NYHFB: What inspired you to get involved with the North York Harvest Food Bank?

    Peter: I believe it is important to “give back” at the community level.

    NYHFB: What inspires you to participate in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

    Peter: The opportunity to raise awareness for the NYHFB while doing something I enjoy – running.

    NYHFB: How long have you been involved with this event?

    Peter: This will be my 7th year.

    NYHFB: Do you get your family and friends involved?

    Peter: Over the years, my spouse, daughter, sister, co-workers and other friends have done the event with me.

    NYHFB: What is it like to wear a costume for a run?

    Peter: More fun than I could have ever imagined!

    NYHFB: How did you decide to wear a costume and run?

    Peter: I was inspired by a fellow supporter of the NYHFB who once ran the Scotiabank ½ marathon in costume as well as the many others that run the 5k event in costume each year.

    NYHFB: Do you have a favourite memory from any of the previous events?

    Peter: Yes. It was clearly running the event in costume for the 1st time last year alongside 2 other supporters of the food bank who also ran in costume. We had so much fun!

    NYHFB: Any advice for new participants?

    Peter: Get in a costume and have more fun!

    Want to share your running experience with us? Contact Leslie at leslie@northyorkharvest.com