Tag Archive: staff

  1. The many homes of North York Harvest Food Bank

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    Over the past 40 years the roof at North York Harvest Food Bank has changed, but our foundation stayed the same: Work toward a community where all members are able to meet their food needs.

    Every time North York Harvest has moved, it allowed us to expand not only the space, but also our programs, our community partnerships, and our advocacy work to fight the underlying causes of poverty.

    As we prepare to move again into our new Community Food Hub at 4050 Chesswood Dr., here’s a look back at how we’ve turned every new home into an opportunity for growth and deeper connection with our community!

    1986-1991 – 3640 Weston Rd. Unit 11

    North York Harvest Food Bank moves into its first humble home: A 3000 sq. ft. warehouse. That year, 158,337 lbs of food were distributed to the community.

    The food bank grew rapidly, and by 1990 North York Harvest expanded its space to include both Units 10 and 20, and rented an additional 2,700 sq. ft. space next door to keep up with the need in North York.

    Key milestones

    • Welcomed 43 partner agencies
    • Installed 2 walk-in fridges, vastly expanding food distribution
    • Published our first annual report and monthly newsletter sharing low-cost recipes and information about local community programs

    1992-2002 – 4478 Chesswood Dr., Unit 16

    A sepia-toned photo from 1992 of the North York Harvest Food Bank team standing in a warehouse. 

    This new space opened the door to more food served in our community, and in our first year we distributed 1 million lbs of food!

    This home also represented a shift in focus beyond emergency food support to addressing the underlying causes of poverty.

    Key milestones

    • Through the Who’s Hungry survey of over 800 food bank users across the GTA, North York Harvest helped reveal that chronic food insecurity was deeply tied to poor health outcomes
    • Launched community initiatives including Making Connections, which brought fresh food from local farms into the city that would otherwise go to waste
    • Partnered with the Ontario Institute of Chartered Accountants to launch free tax clinics for low-income individuals

    2002-2015 – Bathurst Heights Secondary School – 640 Lawrence Ave. West

    A group of people pose for a photo next to a red North York Harvest Food Bank truck.

    North York Harvest relocated to the back of the former Bathurst Heights Secondary School. This came with three loading docks and a completely rebuilt walk-in freezer/cooler, which doubled our capacity for food distribution.

    For the first time ever, North York Harvest could accept and distribute large-scale donations of perishable food — and by 2014, 75,000 lbs of fresh foods were distributed in a single year.

    Key Milestones

    • Expanded our in-house hamper program into the Community Action Resource Centre, providing not just food, but referrals to ESL programs, newcomer settlement services, employment services, and more
    • Founded our Bathurst-Finch and Oriole Community Food Spaces to deepen our impact across North York
    • Implemented the choice model, which moved from prepacked hampers to dignified food assistance by allowing clients to choose the food they wanted

    2015–Present – Learning Enrichment Foundation – 116 Industry St.

    Six people stand in front of the North York Harvest Food Bank backdrop, with five of them holding certificates for the Leadership in Logistics program.

    By 2015, 13,000 individuals relied on North York Harvest Food Bank for support in meeting their food needs. Our home at 116 Industry was not only larger, but it came with additional food racking, a walk-in fridge 3x larger and a freezer 2x larger than our old space.

    But equally important was the work that went on to challenge the underlying causes of poverty. This included formally adopting ‘focused advocacy’ into our mission, creating real pathways out of poverty, and providing platforms for our community members to have their voices heard and push for lasting change.

    The food support we provide remains critical, but the job creation, the innovation, and the advocacy is essential to achieving our vision of a community where all members can meet their food needs.

    Key milestones

    • Creating our workforce and training program Leadership in Logistics, which provides practical experience and pathways out of poverty into full-time employment
    • Running our FoodReach social enterprise, which helps provide more affordable food to non-profits across Ontario while supporting North York Harvest’s operations
    • Forming the Community Advocacy Group, which unites clients to organize around key issues, including affordable housing and social assistance, through rallies, deputations, petitions, and more

    2026– 4050 Chesswood Dr.

    A large empty warehouse.

    With 30,000 clients depending on North York Harvest Food Bank every month, and the lease at our current space ending next year – North York Harvest is preparing to move again to meet the growing and changing needs of our community.

    Our next move will be a transformational one. This 30,000 sq. ft. Community Food Hub will expand our Leadership in Logistics program and FoodReach, triple food storage capacity, and bring our community together to develop initiatives that fight the root causes of poverty.

    This isn’t just a new food bank, it’s a launchpad for a more resilient, equitable, and empowered community. 

    Learn more about our Crisis to Catalyst campaign to support this bold next chapter.

  2. Commemorating 40 years of community care

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    A crowd of people mingle in a large warehouse during an event at North York Harvest Food Bank.

    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.

    A group of people stand in front of a wall with a timeline in the shape of interconnected honeycombs, weaving together pictures and text.

    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.

  3. It’s been one year since the flood

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    What we learned and what we did after the flood

    Empty shelves can be seen inside of a walk-in freezer.

    A North York Harvest Food Bank box floats in a giant puddle.

    It’s been a year since North York Harvest Food Bank faced one of the biggest challenges in our 40-year history.

    On July 16, 2024, a torrential downpour hit Toronto. Nearly 100mm of rain fell in just three hours, leading to massive flooding and blackouts across the city.

    At North York Harvest, our loading docks flooded, rain poured into the warehouse, our delivery truck was damaged, and our freezer broke.

    The power outage caused us to lose a significant amount of fresh, refrigerated food intended to nourish our community — at a time when we were already running low on essential items.

    Between the food and damages to our infrastructure, North York Harvest was faced with a devastating $50,000 loss.

     

    But thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, we were able to rebound quickly to continue providing emergency food support to individuals and families in need.

    Many of our partner agencies were also reeling from the flood. Because of the support we received, we were able to help our network with water damage repairs, and purchase new fridges and other equipment to ensure they could run community food programs safely again.

    A Community Victory

    A group of people sit around a table at North York Harvest Food Bank while a person at the front of the room leads a discussion and writes on a whiteboard.

    We knew it wasn’t if we would flood again, but when.

    North York Harvest worked with our partner agencies, residents, and community organizations to discuss the effects of the flood, and how we could move collaboratively toward solutions.

    We were joined by then-Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who amplified our concerns and supported our call for long-term solutions in a letter addressed to the prime minister.

    On August 30, 2024, an investment of $323-million from the City of Toronto and the federal government was announced to bolster the Rockcliffe-Smythe area against future flooding!

    A dozen people stand for a group picture in front of a North York Harvest Food Bank backdrop.

    Looking Ahead

    In reality, the flood was a wake-up call.

    This disaster made it clear that North York Harvest had outgrown our current space at 116 Industry St. — a place we have called home since 2015.

    In 2015, we supported over 13,000 clients every month, now we serve 30,000 — a 130% increase.

    On top of this, our social enterprise FoodReach supports 175 essential drop-in meal programs, food banks, school snack programs and other non-profits in delivering affordable food to communities that need it most.

    Our warehouse is bursting at the seams with insufficient freezer, refrigeration and dry storage space, while we’re grappling with a leaky roof and broken equipment.

    All of this is hindering North York Harvest’s ability to operate at full capacity and compromises a critical supply chain that supports 30,000 clients every month.

    A Bold Path Forward

    A rendering of the new North York Harvest Food Bank Community Food Hub to be opened in Downsview.

    We can’t hold our breath every time it rains, and we can’t meet the rising needs of our community in our current space.

    That’s why North York Harvest has launched a $6-million capital campaign to build a 30,000 sq ft. community food hub that will reimagine what a food bank can be.

    We’re building a home for our community that can nourish thousands, provide stepping stones to stability, and power innovation and long-term solutions.

    It will allow us to distribute more food, create local jobs, and build long-term solutions to food insecurity and poverty in our city.

    What we learned from the flood

    In times of crisis, community care is crucial: Compassionate people stepped up any way they could to ensure North York Harvest could continue distributing emergency food.

    When we fight for our community, we win: Residents and community organizations have been raising the alarm bells about flooding for years. Together we made change happen.

    Turning a crisis into a catalyst: The lease in our current space is ending, our infrastructure is failing, and the City of Toronto declared food insecurity an emergency. Instead of losing hope, we’re meeting the moment in the most transformational chapter in North York Harvest’s history. Join the movement today!

  4. Welcome to Lawrence Heights

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    Lawrence Heights in Photos

    Did you know North York Harvest Food Bank’s very first Community Food Space was in Lawrence Heights?

    Finding a long-term permanent space has been challenging, but for the past three years, our Lawrence Heights Community Food Space has been located within the Lawrence Heights Community Centre — nestled in the small dance studio.

    We’ve been here for a few years, but our history in Lawrence Heights goes back much further.

    A man stands in the middle of a busy North York Harvest Food Bank warehouse with his arms outstretched.

    Our History in Lawrence Heights

    The neighbourhood of Lawrence Heights was planned in the 1950s as the first large-scale public housing project located outside of the former City of Toronto boundaries. It’s spread across 100 acres in an area north of Lawrence Avenue between Bathurst and Dufferin.

    In 2002 North York Harvest moved into Bathurst Heights Secondary School at 640 Lawrence Ave. West, where we launched the Community ActionA door with the North York Harvest Food Bank logo and text that reads "Community Action Resource Centre" Resource Centre (CAR-C): An in-house emergency food program providing groceries to nearly 6,000 Lawrence Heights residents each year.

    In 2005, the City of Toronto identified Lawrence Heights as one of 13 ‘priority neighbourhoods’ that required more investment to address high levels of poverty, lack of affordable housing and social infrastructure including libraries and schools, and community programs like employment services and food banks.

    CAR-C evolved to meet the needs of the community by supporting clients with referrals to English programs, settlement services, healthcare, and tenants rights organizations.

    While North York Harvest moved to 116 Industry in 2015, we continued operating a food space to serve the Lawrence Heights community.

    Our Lawrence Heights Community

    A person works in front of a mirror, loading food onto a table at the North York Harvest Food Bank.

    At Lawrence Heights we serve a diverse and vibrant community, supporting 1500+ clients every month.

    • Two community food programs run every week
    • Nearly 30% of clients are 55+
    • 1 in 4 are children and youth

    The Food Space operates as a pop-up; every day before service, volunteers set up tables and shelves, configure the registration  area, and stock the food space with non-perishable and fresh foods.

    Since 2018 we have also offered home delivery to a very small number of eligible clients who are unable to make it to the food bank.

    Meet Ayten!

    A woman with long brown hair and glasses wearing a red North York Harvest Food Bank shirt smiles.

    Meet Ayten, the Food Space Manager at Lawrence Heights!

    How long have you worked at North York Harvest Food Bank?
    “I began my work with North York Harvest Food Bank in 2018 through a partnership with the Flemingdon Health Centre at the Oriole Community Food Space, where I focused on community outreach. I officially joined North York Harvest in 2020, and for the past two years I’ve been working as the manager at the Lawrence Heights site.”

    What do you like about working at North York Harvest?
    “I enjoy working with a team that cares about making a difference.

    Working at the food bank isn’t just about distributing food to clients. I’ve seen that anyone can have a hard time getting enough food, for a little while or a long time. Parents especially want to make sure their babies have what they need; providing help with diapers and formula is very important when things are difficult.”

    Green Markets

    A sign for the Lawrence Heights Green Market listing prices for various fruits and vegetables.

    In the summer, we operate weekly green markets to provide fresh and affordable produce to our clients. 

    North York Harvest Food Bank purchases produce from our social enterprise, FoodReach, and sells it at cost to community members.

    FoodReach uses bulk purchasing power to negotiate lower prices with suppliers, which we can then pass on to our community.

    The same quality produce you’d find at a grocery store, but without the high mark-up – because everyone should have access to healthy food!

    Meet Catalina!

    Two people wearing red North York Harvest Food Bank aprons stand at an outdoor market in front of trays of produce.

    Catalina (right) started working at North York Harvest in 2023 as a placement student. She has since worked as both relief staff and a Community Food Space Trainee as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program.

    Catalina has helped out across all of our food spaces, but during the summer she is supporting the green market at Lawrence Heights!

    What’s your favourite part of working at North York Harvest?
    “Genuinely some of the loveliest people I’ve ever worked with! Across the different sites, all of the volunteers do such great work making food service smooth and welcoming. I also feel that this organization is led with a real passion for progress that I see reflected in the work we do.”

    What’s something everyone should know about NYHFB?
    “We want to help you find what you need, be it food or connection to resources or help finding a network of support. There’s a lot of us working here that have been in your shoes and want to make a welcoming, respectful experience for you.”

    Advocacy

    A woman holding a yellow clipboard with a red North York Harvest Food Bank sticker on it stands outside.

    Across each of our Community Food Spaces, you’ll find our Community Engagement team onsite working with clients to ensure their voices are heard through petitions, rallies, and more. They also provide platforms for people to share their lived experience and join our Community Advocacy Group to help shape North York Harvest Food Bank’s advocacy strategy.

    Our Community Engagement Ambassador Fe was at Lawrence Heights recently to collect  signatures for the No One Left Behind petition, which demands immediate action from all levels of government to protect community members from the impact of tariffs through a rent freeze, a moratorium on evictions, and by providing affordable food prices.

    A table with literature and a petition sign-up for the North York Harvest Food Bank.

    Thank you for joining us at Lawrence Heights!

    Four people wearing North York Harvest Food Bank aprons stand together for a group picture.

    And thank you to our donors, staff, and volunteers who help make this critical work possible every day.

    Together we are working toward our vision of a community where all members are able to meet their food needs.

  5. What happens to food after it’s donated?

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    The journey of a food donation

    Have you ever wondered what happens after you drop off food at North York Harvest Food Bank?

    Lettuce give you an example…

    A man wearing a green branded shirt stands at the back of the warehouse next to boxes of food being delivered.

    Our community partner Future Fresh Farms arrives at the warehouse on a Friday morning with a generous donation of their fresh, locally grown lettuce! They turn unusable, grey commercial space in Toronto into urban vertical farms to produce aeroponically grown food.

    Over the past three months they have contributed 1,062 lbs of fresh produce to fight food insecurity and support our community!

    A person wearing a red North York Harvest Food Bank shirt holds lettuce in a warehouse setting.

    Once food arrives, our Operations team receives the items, weighs, and tracks them so we know how much food we have on hand to distribute, how long we’ve had it, and when/where it will be delivered to support individuals and families in need.

    People sort through food items in a food bank warehouse.

    For non-perishable items dropped off from food drives or partner organizations, they’re added into the donation bins in our sort room to be inspected for safety by our diligent volunteers, and then sorted into boxes by category.

    North York Harvest supports 30,000 clients in meeting their food needs every month, so food has to move in and out of the warehouse quickly and efficiently – especially perishable items like lettuce!

    Each week we distribute about 46,000 lbs of food across our four community food spaces and our network of 37 partner agencies.

    En Route

    The lettuce is loaded up first thing in the morning into one of our delivery trucks.

    First stop: Our Lawrence Heights Community Food Space.

    A man with skids of food lowers them from the back of a delivery truck in a parking lot.

    The Community Food Space is located within the Lawrence Heights Community Centre in the dance studio.

    Our driver Oscar arrives at Lawrence Heights ahead of their program day at 11am. Volunteers help unload skids of food to put on the shelves and into the fridge as they set up for a busy day providing nourishing food to our community.

    A person wearing a red North York Harvest Food Bank apron holds their thumbs up and smiles with fresh lettuce visible in front of her.

    Tables, chairs, and shelving are pulled out of storage and loaded with non-perishable items from the morning’s delivery. In addition to non-perishables, clients will also have access to milk, eggs, bread, cucumbers, and of course, lettuce.

    Lawrence Heights serves a diverse community, supporting 1340 clients every month in meeting their food needs.

    A person wearing a mask holds a bag of fresh lettuce, smiling.

    One of our community members, Flor, says, “I was so happy to see lettuce available!”

    “It’s hard for seniors to find work. I’m having surgery soon, and I need the nutrients to be healthy, but when I go to the grocery store everything is so expensive,” Flor says.

    “Whenever I get fruits and vegetables from the food bank, I like to make them into healthy juices,” she adds.

    Every day our community comes together to ensure neighbours facing food insecurity have enough to eat. Every donation: From bottles of cooking oil, to pasta, and fresh produce makes this critical journey from our warehouse to our food spaces and into the hands of someone who needs it.

    Learn how you can donate food and funds to support our neighbours in need.

  6. Photovoice Project: Meet Hanna

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    Our Photovoice project draws from a participatory research method that uses photography and stories. Our aim is to provide a platform for our community to voice their lived experiences around food access. Hanna is a North York Harvest Food Bank client who agreed to share her story.

    By Hanna Subbota,
    Submitted April, 2024

    I am Hanna Subbota, and my daughter is Diana. We are Ukrainians, from a city in the Dnepropetrovsk region. I graduated from ZaporizhzhyaA woman stands over a stove holding a can of food she is pouring into a pot, smiling. University, where I studied medicine and worked as a nurse for five years before I became a chemistry and biology teacher for 18 years – and then I had to leave Ukraine.

    It is so sad what is happening in my hometown. Our city continues to be shelled every day. It is not safe anywhere.

    My 17-year-old daughter and I left the city of Nikopol on March 7, 2022, at the beginning of the war because in front of us is Energodar (by water, 8 kilometres away) and the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, which was captured by our enemies on March 4, 2022.

    They started to scare us that the nuclear power plant would be blown up. If this happens, it will be worse than Chernobyl. A lot of people will die from radiation within a radius of 100-1000 kilometres. 

    We went through a difficult evacuation: We lived for 7 days in Poland on cots, 2 days in Germany, and then arrived in France, where we received a visa to Canada. We lived in France for almost 2 years, but over the last 3 months they stopped paying us assistance. 

    We began to accumulate debts, plus we borrowed money for tickets to Toronto, since our program (Assistance to Ukrainians) ends on March 31, 2024.  

    We received $4,500 to help the Ukrainians, but we paid $2,800 for two months rent for one room. We paid off debts, gave away the money we took from other people for tickets to Toronto – so there is no money left. I don’t have anything.

    A woman stands with an employee at a food bank who is wearing a red North York Harvest Food Bank apron.Right now, I have an urgent need to find housing. I am getting evicted in four weeks and it is very stressful – it is an emergency again for me and my family.

    I have not found a job yet. I do not speak English well. But North York Harvest Food Bank came to the rescue. 

    Now every Wednesday, once every two weeks, I go to the food bank for the necessary products: canned food, cereals, sweets, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and hygiene products.  

    We began to receive the necessary products from which we prepare food: our favorite borscht, mashed potatoes, porridge, salad. I am hoping to take courses to improve my English by so I can work in Canada. But first, I need to be financially stable and find housing.

    We are very grateful for the help of North York Harvest Food Bank and all the people who help us.  

    Thank you very much!!!

    A woman stands in her home around a table full of food.

  7. Transforming food support into community power

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    Transforming Food Support Into Community Power

    For 40 years, North York Harvest Food Bank has been a lifeline in the community— connecting people with dignified food assistance and critical resources they need to survive.

    But now our lease is up and cannot be renewed; we have to move in 2026.

    With 30,000 clients relying on us for emergency food support every month, we have to act quickly or risk disrupting essential operations.

    That’s why we’re launching Crisis to Catalyst: A bold $6-million capital campaign to build a new 30,000+ sq. ft. Community Food Hub.

    This urgent situation has brought our organization to a transformational turning point: We’re shifting from crisis response to long-term solutions that will empower our community for generations.

    Our new home will reimagine what a food bank can be – not just a safety net, but a launchpad for innovation. We will power local employment, support shelters, strengthen hundreds of partner agencies, and help thousands of families move from crisis to stability.

    This Hub will:

    • Strengthen warehousing and logistics for hundreds of community agencies
    •     Support student nutrition programs in schools, libraries, and beyond
    •     Triple our food storage capacity to meet rising demand
    •     Expand cold storage tenfold to deliver more fresh, nutritious food
    •     Scale up our Leadership in Logistics workforce development program
    •     Deliver food to shelters through our partnership with the City of Toronto
    •     Enable national food initiatives in partnership with Food Banks Canada
    •     Reduce the environmental impact of food waste
    •     Develop more innovative initiatives that deliver sustainable, long-term reductions in poverty
    •     Create shared space for community organizations to work, innovate, and grow — together
    •     Advance food security across Ontario by supplying affordable food to hundreds of nonprofit organizations through our social enterprise, FoodReach.

    But we can’t do it without you.

    The City of Toronto has recognized food insecurity as an emergency, with 1 in 10 residents now relying on food banks to survive.

    This is our moment — and yours — to turn crisis into catalyst.

    When you support this campaign, you’re investing in more than food; you’re investing in people, potential, and possibility. You’re sparking lasting change — felt in every meal served, every job created, every child nourished, and every barrier broken.

    Join the movement today.

    Nine people stand behind a booth at an outdoor market holding fruits and vegetables. Some are wearing North York Harvest Food Bank aprons.

  8. Legacy Giving: Donating to charity in Your Will

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    Donating to charity in your Will

    An older man sits on the couch with an older woman embracing him from behind. They are both smiling. 

    Leaving a Legacy of Hope: Shaping Our Community, Together

    Imagine knowing that the values you hold dear can continue to make a difference in our community for years to come.

    At North York Harvest Food Bank, we witness the power of community every day—neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers giving their time with compassion, and donors stepping forward to ensure families have access to nourishing food.

    As Canadians, we understand the importance of looking out for one another. And when we think about the future of our community, ensuring that everyone can meet their basic needs—especially access to food—is a fundamental part of that vision.

    That’s where the idea of legacy giving comes in.

    You may have heard it called planned giving, or simply leaving a gift in your Will.

    Why Legacy Giving Is Growing in CanadaAn infographic showing the rise in Canadians leaving a gift in their will

    A recent Will Power study showed that the number of Canadians planning charitable gifts in their Wills has increased from 5% to 8%. Why?

    It’s a sign of growing awareness: more of us are realizing we can shape the future by supporting causes we believe in—without affecting what our families need today.

    Inflation and cost of living may have put pressure on Canadian incomes. But the desire to help has never been stronger

    A gift in your Will lets you create long-term impact without tapping into the money you need now. Even a small percentage—just 1%—can make a meaningful difference.

    Explore how far your legacy can go with the Will Power calculator.

    A story of care that lives onAn older portrait of a young woman smiling.

    Leaving a gift in your Will is a thoughtful, lasting way to extend your care beyond your lifetime.

    Anne was one of North York Harvest’s most cherished and long-standing supporters. She believed deeply in the importance of nourishing children and providing opportunities for all families.

    “When children are deprived of food, they are also deprived of a future,” she once shared.

    For Anne, leaving a gift in her Will to North York Harvest was more than a financial decision—it was a reflection of her values. It was her way of continuing her care for the community she loved. Her legacy gift continues to support the children and families she cared about—quietly, meaningfully, and powerfully.

    Imagine knowing that the values you hold dear can continue to make a difference in your community for years to come.

    Why you might consider a Gift in Your Will to Charity

    An older couple sit in front of a laptop, pointing at something on the screen.

    Many donors are surprised by just how far a small gift can go. Setting aside even 1% in your Will to a charity like North York Harvest can reduce taxes and still leave 99% to support your loved ones.

    You can also leave a gift outside of your Will—by naming a charity as a beneficiary of your RRSP, life insurance policy, or other assets. And remember, your Will isn’t final. Most Canadians revise theirs more than once as life evolves.

    Download our free Will planning guide for a step-by-step look at how to get started.

    We always recommend speaking with a qualified financial advisor or lawyer to explore your options.

     Learn more about how legacy gifts are changing lives

    An intergenerational family of six sits on a couch smiling and laughing

    A gift in your Will isn’t about wealth—it’s about legacy. It’s about building a future where everyone can access food with dignity, and no one is left behind.

    Whether your legacy looks like Anne’s or something uniquely your own, we would be honoured to be part of your story.

    Want to Learn More? Let’s Start the Conversation

    We’d be happy to speak with you—whether you’re just exploring the idea or ready to start the conversation. There’s no pressure, just support.

    Natasha Bowes, CFRE, MFA-P
    Director of Development and Marketing
    Natasha@NorthYorkHarvest.com or 416.635.7771×2600

    Maria Soares
    Philanthropy and Annual Giving Specialist
    maria@northyorkharvest.com or 416.635.7771 x3300

    A promotional banner for WillPower with the North York Harvest Food Bank logo. Text reads Leave a legacy of hope and make a lasting impact.

    North York Harvest Food Bank is a proud partner in Will Power, a national campaign helping Canadians use their Wills to support causes they care about. Together, we’re building stronger, more resilient communities—today and for generations to come.