Tag Archive: food drive

1. Everyone Can Be A Hero

   July 20, 2021 4:33 pm Comments Off on Everyone Can Be A Hero

   Family, friends and relaxation, that’s what summer should be all about. But for many families in our community, summer adds a significant stress as they grapple with additional food costs. In fact, summer is the time of year when our community’s food needs are at a peak, yet we receive our lowest level of donations. With your support, we can continue helping nourish families who turn to North York Harvest to meet their food needs.

   

   During the pandemic you have helped make the Hamper Hero Virtual Food Drive a major success! While in-person food drives were not possible, the generous support North York Harvest received from families, schools and community groups was incredible. As we head into the summer months, the positive response continues with an increasing number of community members participating in virtual food drives. Our community continues to need your support, and we’re pleased to be able to help families with your contributions.

   Here are some tips for increasing the impact of your Virtual Food Drive

   Goal Setting: While it may seem simple, setting a fundraising target creates excitement for everyone who donates. Consider setting a reward for meeting your target to get everyone even more engaged.

   Make It Special: Select a date and host a kick-off event that gets everyone on board. Consider engaging your network by sharing a video about the work that North York Harvest does.

   Give Regular Reminders: Keep your group updated on the success of your Virtual Food Drive by sharing via social media platforms. Encourage everyone who has contributed to share on their social media channels and remember to tag North York Harvest too!

   Are you interested in hosting a virtual food drive with your friends and family? Find out how you can get involved.

2. Spring up for Good! Spring Food Drive Kicks Off at NYH

   March 23, 2018 10:15 pm Comments Off on Spring up for Good! Spring Food Drive Kicks Off at NYH

   We need you to make sure our community has the healthy food they need this spring!

   We’re asking for the community’s help to raise $100,000 and collect 20,000 lbs.each of our most needed foods: canned tomatoes; rice; beans/lentils; canned tuna/seafood and cooking oil during our annual Spring Food Drive.

   With food bank use up a staggering 60% since 2010 in the northern half of the city, we are urging community members to get involved so we can ensure families, seniors, newcomers and youth have the food and support they need this season.

   “The skyrocketing cost of living in Toronto is pushing more and more people to turn to food banks to make ends meet. Our clients are being forced to make impossible choices with their extremely limited incomes. They can’t pay less for rent. They can’t pay less for hydro. But they can spend less on food, so it’s often the first place people cut when times get tough. The food we provide, through the support of our community, makes sure our most vulnerable neighbours aren’t going hungry during these increasingly difficult times.” says Ryan Noble, Executive Director.

   The food and funds you generously give this spring will support 77 community food programs in neighbourhoods across Northern Toronto, including: local food banks, community meal programs and cooking groups, peri-natal programs and before and after-school meal programs. 

   Ready to spring up for good? Click here to get involved.

3. Cash VS. Cans

   December 6, 2017 9:06 pm Comments Off on Cash VS. Cans

   There’s been lots in the news recently about how best to support food banks. We’re grateful for all of the ways our community takes action against hunger, and each type of gift is essential in making sure 16,000 people each month have the food and support they need to thrive.

   

    

   Join the Winter Food Drive today!

   Make a Donation

   Register Your Food & Funds Drive

   Collect Funds Only By Setting Up An Online Giving Page

    

   Together we can make a difference and leave hunger behind!

4. Thanksgiving Media Day

   September 14, 2017 12:59 am 2 Comments

   October 8, 2017

   10am-12pm / 1pm-3pm

   Every year, during our Fall Food Drive we invite the media to our office and warehouse. This event allows the media to focus attention on food insecurity in our communities during Thanksgiving.

   The media will film and photograph volunteers sorting food in our warehouse and interview staff.

   We’re looking forward to welcoming families to sort food with us on media day.

   We will have 2 sorting sessions: 10am to noon and 1pm to 3pm.  During the afternoon session we will be visited by Mayor John Tory members of the Northern Heroes – local superheroes dedicated to fighting hunger!

   Media inquiries – please contact Aniska Ali at aniska@northyorkharvest.com / 416-635-7771 x 26

    

    

5. Looking for Volunteers

   March 17, 2017 1:56 pm Comments Off on Looking for Volunteers

   Are you looking for a fun way to get involved with your community and make a BIG impact on the lives of your neighbours that use the food bank?

   We’re looking for volunteers and we have so many positions available to suit your needs! 

   Looking to volunteer for just a day or two?

   We offer one time volunteer positions for the Spring Food Drive!

   We are currently in need of drivers assistants to help our truck drivers pick up food for the following dates:

   Thursday April 20 (9am -4pm)

   Friday April 21 (9am -4pm)

   Monday April 24 (9am -4pm)

   To sign up for a shift, call Lisa at 416-635-7771 ext. 29 or lisa@northyorkharvest.com

    

   Want to come in for an evening with family and friends?

   Every Tuesday evening we offer sorting sessions for families and friends!  Learn how YOUR help in the food sorting room goes a long way to ensure that your neighbours get the best food possible! It’s a great way to have fun, get some exercise and give back!

   To join us on a Tuesday evening from 5:30-7:30 call Kadian at 416-635-7771 ext. 28 or kadian@northyorkharvest.com

   

   Are you looking for an opportunity to bring your coworkers in for a volunteer experience?

   We offer corporate volunteer sorting sessions!  It’s a great way to learn about food insecurity in your community and work as a team to help make a difference!

   For Corporate Groups contact Shirah Stern at 416-635-7771 ext. 48 or shirah@northyorkharvest.com

   For Community Groups, Schools and other groups contact Leslie Venturino at 416-635-7771 ext. 21 or leslie@northyorkharvest.com

   

   Want to be a volunteer on a regular basis? 

   There are many positions that let you get involved with your community on a weekly basis!  We’re in need of the following positions:

   FOOD SORTERS

   We’re looking for core sorters to join us in the warehouse to sort through donations before they reach the food banks

   Monday, 12:30pm to 3:30pm

   Wednesday, 12:30pm to 3:30pm

    

   FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS

   Lawrence Heights Community Food Space (Lawrence/Allen area)

   Tuesday, 1pm to 5pm – distribute food hampers

   Tuesday, 8am to 12pm – receiving food orders

   Room to Grow Food Bank (Kipling/The Westway area)

   Wednesday, 9:15am to 12:30pm – receiving food orders

   Oriole Food Space (Don Mills/Sheppard area)

   Monday, 9:30am to 1pm or 1pm to 3:30pm – receiving food orders

   St Vincent de Paul Food Bank (640 Glenholme Ave) is in need of volunteers twice per month to help unload groceries from the truck (typically the second and fourth Thursdays of the month).

    

    WORKING ON OUR TRUCKS

   

   Driving Assistants

   We need some volunteers who can spend a day with our drivers.  See first hand where our food comes from and where it goes.

   To become a regular volunteer, call Lisa at 416-635-7771 ext. 29 or lisa@northyorkharvest.com

    

   Want to learn more about volunteering with North York Harvest? Learn more about what our volunteers have to say here!

    

   
   
   
   
   

6. Donating to the Food Bank

   March 10, 2017 2:53 pm 3 Comments

   Want to make a donation of food but not sure what you should donate?  We are asked that question quite a lot around here.  

   We made a Facebook Live video just to help our incredible donors to learn what foods are needed at the food bank and which items are better left on the shelf (or in the fridge).

   Check it out!

   
   

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7. Spring Food Drive

   March 3, 2017 4:59 am Comments Off on Spring Food Drive

    

   Spring is in the air and our office is buzzing!  Okay, yes I admit, these past few weeks have felt like we’ve experienced all four seasons at once – but trust me… Spring is almost here!

   To celebrate the amazing weather on the way, we are kicking off the Spring Food Drive and we want YOU to be a part of it!

   The Spring Drive is so important for making sure that the pantries are stocked during the warmer months to ensure no one has to go without!  Together we can make sure that everyone meets their food needs! 

   Help us raise $100,000 and 100,000 lbs. of food!  Your support will help more than 15,000 people each month using food banks, meal programs, prenatal/early parenting programs, community kitchens and other vital services throughout the city.

   Getting involved with the food drive is a lot of fun and helps so many people! Just ask Lauren, who has been running food drives for more than ten years!

   

   “I first heard about North York Harvest back in 2005 when I was 14 years old.  A NYH bag came to our house with the local newspaper letting us know how we could help,” says Lauren. “I decided right then to do a food drive. At 14 it was a really cool thing to do. Our first food drive raised 170 pounds and its increased so much since then!”

   

   Lauren and her parents have made food drives not only a family tradition, but a tradition within their neighbourhood.  “I love going door to door to see everyone in the neighbourhood.  A lot of the people I grew up with still give every year because they know that people rely on our help. It has become a real connection to the community.”

   What are Lauren’s tips for running YOUR food drive?

   • It is much easier than it looks and it is much more rewarding too! Its benefits are huge!

   • You need a flyer or brochure – we’ve had the same one for the past 10 years! Update it with suggested items from the website. Click here for some handy materials for your drive!

   • We grocery shop as a family and sometimes with a few neighbours as well –add such items as baby formula, canned proteins. Living in a multi-cultural city and community, we also try to contribute spices and different types of food. Click here for a list of suggested foods to donate

   Over 400 people rely on the food bank EVERY DAY.  You can help!

   What are you waiting for? Sign up today to make a huge difference in your community! 

   

   Looking for other ways to get involved with the Spring Food Drive?

   • Make a donation. Just $10 provides 30 meals!
   • Set up a fundraising page on our website so your friends and family can donate.
   • Volunteer your time. Join us in store, on the truck or at the public sort.
   • Make a donation of groceries in your local grocery store.
   • Connect on social media and spread the word!

   Check out the food drive kit that we put together just for you! It has everything you need to run an incredible food drive!
   

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8. Hunger Doesn’t Hibernate

   January 20, 2017 3:43 pm Comments Off on Hunger Doesn’t Hibernate

   Hunger doesn’t hibernate and neither did you during the 2016/2017 Winter Food Drive!  Because of your INCREDIBLE support, funds, volunteer time and enthusiasm we raised OVER $250,000 & 250,000 lbs. of food!  

   This means that we can provide 750,000 meals to people that are in need of food this winter.  THANK YOU!

   There were more than 200 food drives in our great city run by families, volunteers, businesses, schools, faith groups, community groups and more. 

   

   Some highlights of the Winter Food Drive include:

   Incredible Employee Engagement

   

   The TRCA has been a community partner of NYH for a number of years but recently we have done more projects and programs together.  All of the TRCA staff are involved in food and fun fund events to support of the work of NYH!  

   They’ve collected food, held raffles and draws, hosted food events and had a great time doing it!

   

   During the winter food drive, the TRCA came in to sort food and also held their annual holiday party in support of providing 5,525 meals this winter to families in our communities.

   Foods from Around the World

   

   Delarie Murphy, Mutsa A Mawora-Lewis and Sarkis Kurkjian are international students from Citi College .  They joined the Winter Food Drive and proved it doesn’t take many people to make a BIG impact.  Hailing from Syria, Jamaica & Trinidad; these incredible students raised 530 lbs. of food!  Not only that but they knew that many people appreciate food that is familiar when visiting the food bank – so they made sure to donate food they enjoy from back home.  Food bank users come from all backgrounds and it is greatly appreciated when they feel comfortable with the food they feed their families.

   Redtastic

   

   The Redtastic team is a group of volunteers that dedicate their time to support Kadian when she runs hundreds of sort groups throughout the year. Jane, Janet, Gord, Sari, Bonnie, Linda, Haley, Steve, Enzo, Laura and Will are always reliable and make a big difference in the warehouse. During the winter food drive they were extremely helpful by providing guidance and support to not only Kadian but to new volunteers. Even when a group isn’t scheduled they will make time to come sort during the slot available. They are incredibly dedicated and we couldn’t sort through all of the donations that make it on the food bank shelves without them!
   

   Biggest Food Drive

   We had a tie this year for the largest food drive.  Schools around the city are huge contributors to the food drives and this year Ledbury Park PS & Faywood ABC both raised an incredible 4500 lbs. of food EACH! That will provide 13,500 meals to the community!

   Families Feeding Families

   

   Michael Bros. Excavating has been a donor to NYH for many years.  A company run by siblings Peter, Tullio and Rosemary; they care deeply about giving back to their community.

   This year they encouraged employees, vendors and contractors to join them in providing food for families in need.  They raised an incredible 2,714 lbs. of food and came by the office 4 times to drop off their donations.

   

   “We are very proud of our employees and brokers and value everyone’s involvement and cooperation. We will definitely encourage our group to once again, collect and drop off non-perishable food in the spring for our Easter Drive.” says Rosemary.

   Thank you so much to everyone that put their time, effort, funds and support into making this the best food drive yet!

   Thousands of people right in your community are able to access the food they need to get by this winter because of YOU! Thank you!

   We are amazed as always by the tremendous support we received during the winter food drive and look forward to sharing a food friendly 2017 with you!