Comments Off on Commemorating 40 years of community care
On Friday August 8th, we celebrated our 40th anniversary by opening the doors to our soon-to-be home at 4050 Chesswood Drive!
Throughout the day, 1000 attendees showed up to tour the space and reflect on what four decades of community care has meant for North York.
We were delighted to welcome past and present staff and volunteers, community partners, and donors who have each contributed to transforming North York Harvest into what it is today.
Guests followed a timeline of our progress from the moment they walked in, with photos and milestones capturing four decades of food served, voices heard, dignity preserved, jobs created, connections forged, and real change fought for every single day.
North York Harvest Food Bank would not be possible without the generosity, passion, and dedication of our community.
We thank everyone who joined us to commemorate our past and look to the future at our most transformative chapter yet: A Community Food Hub that will reimagine what a food bank can be, and redefine how we fight food insecurity.
But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we recently launched a bold $6-million capital campaign that will turn an empty warehouse into a vibrant hub of food distribution, workforce development, and social enterprise.
Support this campaign to help create real, lasting change that will be felt for generations.
Comments Off on 8 GREAT reasons to run a summer food drive!
8 Great Reasons to Start a Summer Food Drive
Food drives are essential in helping 30,000 clients across our network meet their food needs every month. They’re especially important during the summer, when our shelves begin to empty but the need in our community remains just as high.
Here are 8 great reasons why YOU should start your very own food drive this summer!
1. Donations are much lower in the summertime
As the warm weather hits, people are focused on planning vacations and enjoying the great outdoors.
At the food bank however, that means empty shelves. Summer hasn’t even started yet, but we’re already running critically low on many non-perishable essentials including pasta and canned fish.
Unfortunately, there is no vacation from hunger. Summer is a critical time for community support, and community food drives play an integral role in ensuring there’s enough food for our clients.
2. A child’s happy summer starts with good nutrition
Children need their energy for all the play and activities that come with summer. But without school snack programs, many families struggle to provide their children with enough nutritious food to fuel their day.
At North York Harvest, 1 in 4 people we support is a child. By hosting a food drive, you’ll be easing a family’s stress so they can have a great summer, too.
3. Connect with your community & each other
A food drive unites people under a common goal: to make a difference in your community. It can be started at your work or school, your place of worship, in your neighbourhood, or even within your family.
4. You’re taking an active role in fighting food insecurity
1 in 10 Torontonians turning to a food bank is a daunting number, and it can make someone feel powerless about the situation. By taking this step, you’re empowering yourself and others to take action and directly help people in your own community.
5. You can inspire others to take action
One food drive can spark more, especially when shared on social media or in your workplace. Be the reason someone you know says, “I can help, too.”
6. Kids and teens can lead them too
Food drives teach youth about leadership, community values, and the power every person has to make a difference.
Comments Off on Climbing a mountain to fight food insecurity
Climbing a mountain to fight food insecurity
Would you hike up a mountain 15 times in support of North York Harvest?
It’s a big ask, but that’s exactly what our new Board Chair Christine Farrugia accomplished recently!
She joined the 29029 Everesting endurance hiking event on June 7-8 to challenge herself and support her community. With her friends, she ascended Sun Valley in Idaho 15 times over 32.5 hours (with breaks for sleep and eating).
“It was great that I could do this challenge for myself, while also making it about community and giving back to North York Harvest,” she says.
Christine not only completed this hiking challenge, she also exceeded her fundraising goal for a total of $5,660!
Since joining the Board of Directors in 2020, Christine has become acutely aware of the growing need in our community.
“What I’ve been telling my friends and coworkers, because I think a lot of people don’t realize, is 1 in 10 people in Toronto accessed a food bank last year” she says. “The need for food banks is higher than ever.”
Whether it’s through joining NYH’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event, bringing her colleagues in to volunteer or getting her children involved in food drives, Christine has spent her time on the Board raising awareness of food insecurity and encouraging everyone to act.
Now as Board Chair, Christine says she’s looking forward to helping to shape the future strategy of North York Harvest and help meet the food needs of our community today while working toward long-term solutions to end food insecurity in our city.
