Tag Archive: neighbours

1. The Meaning of Thanksgiving

   September 30, 2016 8:23 am Comments Off on The Meaning of Thanksgiving

   

   Guest Blog by Tina

   What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

   To me it means family, neighbours and community.

   I wasn’t always a member of your community.  My family came here over 20 years ago for a fresh start and I was met with open arms by wonderful families that I now consider to be my family.

   As new arrivals to Canada, we didn’t have the means to celebrate a Thanksgiving meal – but we were invited to share the holiday with a wonderful family that had us over to their home. And that really meant a lot.

   They told us that the true meaning of the holiday is being grateful sharing what we have – they even told us more about our new country and the incredible fresh start and adventure we are about to enjoy.  Thanks to their hospitality – I also had my first taste of pumpkin pie and it remains one of my favourite desserts up until this day!

   These days I volunteer at a local community center that supports newcomers just like I once was. People can go there for food, ESL classes, cooking lessons and job placement support. I get to witness firsthand how generosity from people just like you go a long way to helping people build a new life here in Canada.

   When I think about that special gift we received on our first Thanksgiving – this time of year really gets me in the mood to help people that are struggling to get back onto their feet.  People right in our community.

   This year I will be working with my community center, their staff, volunteers and even families who we’ve helped in the past and are now coming back to pay it forward, to ensure families who are struggling in the neighbourhood have a hot and festive meal on Thanksgiving and have enough food at home all month long.

   And I want to invite you to join me and do the same.

   Let’s Leave Hunger Behind and make this a Thanksgiving to remember. So that 20 years from now, when new families share their stories, they, like I do, will remember with joyfulness, their first fall in Canada.

   We can’t do it without you though!

   Join us for the 2016 Fall Food Drive to make this Thanksgiving and the rest of the fall a special time everyone can be grateful for!

   There are many ways you can join me and the thousands of amazing people in our community working to make a difference!

   Donate – For every $1 you donate, you provide 3 meals to a person that is hungry!

   Volunteer – There are many great opportunities with the Fall Food Drive – join the NYH truck drivers to pick up and deliver food or come out to one of the many great events planned to raise food for our neighbours!

   Run a Food & Funds Drive – This is a fun way to work together as a team with friends, family, classmates, coworkers and anyone else that would like to make a difference!

   Join the Public Sort –Sort food at the NYH warehouse on October 9 for a great way to spend Thanksgiving weekend with your family while ensuring food is sorted and ready to be delivered to families in need!

   Get Social! – Use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media to spread the news about the food drive with these great shareables!

   During this season of Thanksgiving, join me in showing our neighbours that we care about them.

   This Thanksgiving, let’s Leave Hunger Behind.

    

    

   
   
   
   
   

2. Racing Against Hunger

   September 23, 2016 8:12 am Comments Off on Racing Against Hunger

   

   Guest Blog by Leslie Venturino

   What is it that makes you realize fall is finally here?

   Is it the coolness in the air? The leaves changing colours? Everything is now pumpkin spice flavoured?

   For me and my daughters, Emma & Sophia, fall kicks off each year by participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. This year will be our 8th year participating in the marathon and our 4th year on Team North York Harvest. The route is great and the scenery around the city is absolutely gorgeous.

   

   It’s a real Toronto community event complete with bands, entertainment, cheerleaders and people in costumes. We’ve been known to have a carrot joining our team for many years now! It’s great for first time marathoners but also the advanced athlete who wants to qualify for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Anyone that enters gets a t-shirt and a great finisher’s medal that comes with complete bragging rights.

   

   The first year I entered, I tried running with my daughter Sophia on my back. She was only two at the time and let’s just say my run time wasn’t going to get me on the Olympic team. But that doesn’t matter. The important part is getting together with my family and fellow community members to reach a common goal.

   And that goal is all about providing healthy meals for our neighbours that are hungry. Each year Team North York Harvest raises money so that families will be able to access the food they need. Since the team has been active, over $200,000 has been raised.

   That’s 600,000 meals for children, parents and grandparents living right here in Toronto!

   Even my girls have taken the initiative to raise money for the cause with their friends at school. This year they plan to raise enough funds for 300 meals. It really warms my heart to see how caring and thoughtful my children have grown to be. And a lot of that attitude came from taking part in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

   

   So won’t you join me this year in lacing up and leaving hunger in the dust on October 16, 2016?

   Join Team North York Harvest today for an unforgettable experience!

   Can’t join the team but still want to provide meals for families in your community? Make a gift on behalf of Team North York Harvest.

    

    

3. Hunger Awareness Week

   September 16, 2016 9:02 am Comments Off on Hunger Awareness Week

   Canada is such an amazing country, there is so much freedom and liberties we have that many countries don’t.  This is why I always find it shocking when I see the statistics of people that go hungry in our country.

   Hunger Awareness Week takes place from September 19-23. This is a week where Canadians like you and I band together to raise awareness for the people in our Canada that have to go without something to eat.

   In fact, on September 16 Hon Laura Albanese, MPP joined us at North York Harvest Food Bank to help us sort food during the First Annual Great MPP Food Sort!

   

   Did you know?

   

   Each day children in our communities may go without a meal. Poverty can lead to poor nutrition and that can affect a child’s grades  and quality of life in the long run.

   

   Every province and city in the country is affected by hunger.

   Who uses the food bank in Toronto? They range from many ages and backgrounds.

   • 1/3 of food bank users are children
   • 15% are seniors
   • 40% are on long term disability
   • 40% have graduated from college or university

   But what can we do?

   We can all take a stand and make a difference in the lives of people that are hungry!

   Get involved with your local food bank and the issue of hunger in your community in the following ways:

   Make a Donation

   A donation of $1 provides 3 meals

    

   Run a Food & Fund Drive

   Get your friends, family and coworkers together.  Be creative and have fun while giving back.

    

   Donate Food

   Great items to donate are canned fish, canned beans, canned tomatoes, rice & baby products

    

   Volunteer

   There are many ways to volunteer! Join us in the food bank, warehouse, on the truck, at events or in the office.

    

   Get Social

   Spread the word on all of your social media accounts about hunger in Canada! Find some Hunger Awareness Week tools here.

    

   You can make a difference for the people that are hungry in your community!

   Check out more photos from the Hon Laura Albanese MPP visit on Facebook

   Find out more about Hunger Awareness Week!

    

    

   
   
   
   
   

4. Back to School with a Full Belly

   August 26, 2016 9:14 am Comments Off on Back to School with a Full Belly

   Some kids love it.  Some kids hate it.  But it is on the way!  The kids are about to go back to school for another year of learning, friendship and fun.

   Personally, I loved back to school as a kid.  Every year at the end of summer, I got to go to the mall with my mom to buy new clothes and supplies.  We’d usually make a day of it and grab some pizza for lunch.

   I met Jenna earlier this summer.  She told me how she’s really excited to start grade four.  Her favourite classes are science and gym class.  “I can’t wait to see my friends again and tell them about all the things I did this summer!”

   Her mother Trish, on the other hand, is not as excited.  Her hours have been cut at work again and she is having trouble paying for Jenna’s school supplies. “Rent is so expensive – I really can’t afford to pay for extra things Jenna needs.”

   Trish isn’t the only one feeling the pinch in September.  Many clients that come into the food bank struggle with daily expenses. And food is often the most flexible thing in the budget.  Unhealthy food tends to be a lot cheaper than fresh foods so those items tend to make it into children’s lunches. 

   “I always felt terrible when I couldn’t put fresh fruit or vegetables in her lunches – but those things cost so much lately.”

   I’ve seen it myself when buying my groceries.  Fresh produce prices have been skyrocketing; sometimes it is just easier to get the cheaper items while sacrificing nutrition.

   Even though Jenna is still young, she can still tell when there isn’t enough food for a healthy lunch.  “Once in a while I get two oranges in my lunch.  Those are my favourite!  Last year I didn’t get oranges much. Sometimes I didn’t get much to eat at all.”

   
   This year Trish turned to the food bank, “I am always so grateful after going to the food bank.  I come home with healthy items for Jenna and myself.  Things like bread, cheese and meat so I can make her sandwiches for lunch.  And there are even eggs so she can have scrambled eggs in the morning – though I prefer mine sunny side up.”

   I’m relieved know that families in Toronto have access to these food banks.  No child should go to school hungry.

   Luckily, your support of North York Harvest helps us ensure that Trish can fill Jenna’s lunch bag with healthy foods each day.  She can also send Jenna off to school having had a healthy breakfast so she can concentrate on her studies.

   Help start the school year off right for kids just like Jenna!  Donate today to ensure no kid in your community goes without a healthy lunch.

    

   
   
   
   
   

5. Get Involved with Us!

   August 12, 2016 8:32 am 1 Comment

   Join us as we strive for a Hunger Free Toronto!

   There are many options to get involved and help our neighbours that are hungry!  Together we can provide healthy food for people in our community.

   Run a Food and Funds Drive!

   

   There are many different ways to run a Food and Funds Drive – from bake sales, to jeans day to games at a fair. It’s easy and a fun way to team build with your family, friends or coworkers!

   Just contact Leslie or Click Here to get started.

   Get more great tips on how to Amp Up Your Food and Funds Drive!

    

    

   Attend an Event with Us

   

   Getting together for an event is so much fun!

   We’re in your community at BBQ’s, concerts, festivals and more. Come and see us soon!

    

    

   Volunteer

   

   There are so many great volunteer opportunities to help people meet their food needs!  You could volunteer in the food bank serving clients, help out in the warehouse, hop on the truck to deliver food, join us at events and much more.  Check out our volunteer opportunities.

    

   Make a Donation

   

   Your support directly impacts the lives of thousands of adults, seniors and children in our city and ensures that our neighbours have enough to eat.  DONATE TODAY!

    

   Donate Food

   

   You can pick up some extra items and drop them off at your local grocery store or fire hall. Or you can make a donation right to the warehouse (including fresh items) at 116 Industry Street.  Not sure what to donate? Check out our list of top suggested food items.

    

    

   Get Social!

   

   Let’s get together on social media!  We’d love to hear from you on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or LinkedIn!

    

   Sign Up for the E News!

   

    

    

   Whichever way you choose to get involved – we are happy to have you!  Thank you so much!
   
   
   
   

6. Need for Space

   August 5, 2016 9:35 am Comments Off on Need for Space

   People may not think of things like paying electrical bills, storing groceries and supplies or even having a functional bathroom when thinking of a food bank.  But these are problems are very real for food banks, youth shelters, soup kitchens and more. Lack of space is a serious issue that charities – especially small ones – face.

   

   View in PDF

   Keep up to date with what’s going on in your community! Sign up for the E-Newsletter!

    

    

   
   
   
   

7. Connecting Through Food

   July 29, 2016 9:35 am Comments Off on Connecting Through Food

   

   Guest blog by Shirah Stern, Development Associate Corporate Giving

   Did you know that there are free toy lending libraries in North York?  Or literacy programs to prepare children for school? I sure didn’t before I went to visit Weston Area Emergency Services (WAES).  WAES is a food bank that falls under the NYH umbrella offering emergency food hampers to people in need.  It was there I met volunteer Marlene Jones.  And she sure taught me a lot about community services I didn’t even know existed!

   Marlene has been volunteering with WAES for almost a year now.  After retiring, Marlene wanted to give back because she personally felt grateful for the education and career that she has had in her life.  Her passion for health and nutrition naturally led her to a volunteer program that helps people in her neighbourhood access the food they need.  “Having access to good food is so important for family health,” she told me. “It’s also important that members of our communities are aware of programs to support people regardless of their personal income or background. Especially if they have kids.”

   With four young children, I often wonder why kids don’t come with a manual.  We all want to be the best parent that we can and these free resources are a huge helping hand for many that don’t have a ready support network.

   As a retired public health nurse, Marlene informs clients of nearby programs that they didn’t know they had access to.  These range from parenting programs and educational tutoring to newcomer workshops and recreational activities.  And these are available for anyone in the city. Because Marlene shares her knowledge, these families know where they can go to make their lives just a little bit easier.

   
   Marlene shared the joy she feels being able to assistant clients with their food needs and help them get other supports they need.  Young, single mothers come to the food bank to put food in their bellies, and walk out with information about summer camp their children can attend.  A man struggling with being laid off from work will come in to get extra items for dinner and leave with the number of a service to help him update his resume.  There are so many other examples of people in your neighbourhood that benefit from these programs.

   Referral services and connections are part of what makes food banks so important to our community.  I have worked at NYH for many years and I didn’t even know that some of these programs were available (toy lending library??!!).  And working in the social service sector, if I wasn’t aware, I can imagine many other families in our city that could really use these services aren’t aware of them either.  Sharing is caring.

   I really admire the generosity and thoughtfulness of Marlene and other volunteers at WAES – they truly demonstrate the value of volunteering and helping others in the community. “It takes a village to raise a child,” share Marlene.  And she enjoys being a part of it.

   Families in our city are accessing programs that are helpful because of connections made in the food bank.  It is because of you that we are able to make connections like this happen. Thank you for being part of our village.

   Each day many volunteers put their time and heart into making a difference in the community through volunteering.  If you are interested in volunteering with us please contact us – we’d love to have you join the team!

    

    

   

   Want to know more about free programs offered in the city?  Call Toronto Health Connections at 416-338-7600 or 211 to access community resources for anyone.

8. Media Appreciation Week

   July 8, 2016 8:18 am Comments Off on Media Appreciation Week

   We as a species are very curious and we want to know the facts.  Whether the story is the good, the bad or the ugly – I want to know what is going on in the world around me.  And I know how lucky we are to live in a country where freedom of speech is a protected right.  This is why I’m thankful that at any time I can pick up a newspaper and find out what’s going on in the world or I can hop online for the latest stories.  Whether it’s missing capybaras, politics or the many devastating stories that have happened in the world lately.  We want to be informed.

   This is why the media is so important.  They share our stories.  They connect us.  Without them, we would be isolated from each other and the rest of the world. From everyday issues to disasters, from pop culture to international developments the media is there to gather all the facts and bring awareness to us all.

   Here at North York Harvest we know that what’s happening in your community is something that you care about.  We want you to hear stories about the lives of our neighbours in need and the impact you are having.  But we know that when we have a great story to tell or want to share about the food drive that is running, sometimes our reach just isn’t big enough.

   And that’s when amazing members of the media step in to spread the word. 

   

   And so we this is why we are launching our first ever North York Harvest Food Bank Media Appreciation week.  So often the amazing media is there, sharing our stories, making sure the people in our community know more about hunger in Toronto, the food bank and people who need to use it.

   We are incredibly grateful. 

   All week we will be shouting out to the amazing media members in our community bringing us all closer together!

   To kick us off we turned the tables and interviewed Fannie Sunshine who has been a reporter with Metroland for almost 16 years and covering stories at NYH.  She’s been there for release of the Hot Pot Cookbook , our big move to the Learning Enrichment Foundation, to join us in receiving incredible donations and for much more.

   

   Because of Fannie’s incredible storytelling, we feel more connected to our community and think they know us a bit better too.

   So it’s time to get to know Fannie better …

    

   What made you get into journalism?

   I always liked writing and telling stories from a young age.  It came naturally.

   Why do you think media is important?

   I think we have a role to play in getting stories out to the public and letting them know what is happening.   It’s important to know what people are talking about.

   As the media, we have a responsibility to do it right.  People are curious and want to know what is happening in their city or streets.  They want to know about things that affect their daily lives.

   Why do you think freedom of speech is important? 

   I think people have the right to be passionate and say what they feel is on their mind.  Not everyone agrees or has the same point of view – people have a right to stand up for what they believe.  I would never want it to be restricted and it’s important in our society.

   How do you feel about the trust between the media and the public in regards to reporting truth and covering important issues? 

   In my experience – if it’s a hot topic, the community really wants their voice heard.  Sometimes they are pleased with how it is, sometimes they aren’t.  We must go to both sides to tell the story and try to convey their point of view as best as we can.  Not everyone will be satisfied, but the other side needs to be heard.  I try my best to get their message across.

   Why do you think it’s important to write about the food bank?

   People need to know that food banks exist whether or not they are clients.  They should know about what is in their community and where they can go to drop food off.  The food bank is an important organization to have in our city – some people might think they will never need it but you never know what can happen.   We should support causes in our neighbourhoods.  I want to inspire people to contribute to the cause.

   

   Without reporters like Fannie and all of the other incredible members of the media out there – we wouldn’t be able to share our stories with you in the same way.

   And so we want YOU to know:  You truly make an impact! Thank you to all our incredible local media for covering these stories.

   Do you work for the Media?  Hit us up and tell us why you think Media is important.

   Have you loved reading an article about the food bank or hunger in Toronto?  Join us in showing  your appreciation for these fantastic people on Facebook & Twitter using the hashtag #mediaappreciation!