Tag Archive: toronto

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. St. Philip Neri’s Table: 4 years of community care

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    Agency Spotlight: St. Philip Neri’s Table

    A mother and her two sons hold one another and smile in a food bank setting.

    In honour of Mother’s Day this month, we’re sharing how a mother and son’s volunteer work strengthens their bond at St. Philip Neri’s table, a partner agency of North York Harvest Food Bank.

    A man inspects oranges for distribution at a food bank, with shelves on non-perishables behind him.

    Every Saturday Yesmil and a dedicated team of 50 volunteers distribute essential food and other support to their community. Yesmil co-founded the food bank with the then-pastor of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in 2021, after seeing the need in their community surge during the pandemic.

    It has since become a lifeline for many in the community.

    “My family’s support makes all the difference,” Yesmil says. “The volunteers, including my sons, who have accompanied me from the beginning, help make real connections with our clients. Together, we’ve created a welcoming space for all.”

    The team’s combined efforts provide emergency food to 230 households each week, serving a diverse community in the Jane and Wilson area, including many new moms, seniors, and others struggling to make ends meet.

    “It’s not just about food,” Yesmil adds. “We

    A woman sorts tomatoes for distribution at a food bank.

     also focus on essential items like diapers, adult diapers, and baby formula—things that often take up a large portion of someone’s income.”

    One client, who is also a volunteer, shared that “If it weren’t for the baby formula I receive here, I wouldn’t have been able to raise my grandchild.”

    On Saturday, May 17, St. Philip Neri’s commemorated their four-year anniversary by serving their community soup and bread before distributing food.

    A woman wearing a brown St. Philip Neri's Table apron places a bowl on the counter in a kitchen, ready to be filled with homemade soup. In the background, volunteers load soup onto trays and stir a pot.

    “This mission would not be possible without the collective effort of the volunteers and the entire community,” Yesmil says, “ and working as a family for the community brings immeasurable value.”

  5. Community BBQ to Get Out the Vote this federal election!

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    Removing barriers at the ballot box

    As the need for food banks is reaching record highs, voter turnout in our community is reaching record lows.

    There are many barriers stopping people from making it to the ballot box.

    After paying rent and utilities, on average our community members only have about $7 per day to spend on food, transportation, medication and all other expenses. It’s not easy getting to the polls when getting there eats into your food budget. 

    The No. 1 reason people walk through our doors is the high cost of rent, and far too many don’t even have a permanent place to call home. It’s not easy exercising your right to vote when you don’t have a permanent address. 

    That’s why North York Harvest Food Bank held a Community BBQ to Get Out the Vote on Sunday, April 13.

    We had free food, games, raffles, face-painting, advocacy, and free transportation taking attendees to the polls to cast their vote.

    Over 600 people attended the BBQ throughout the day, with 75 folks heading to the polls. Many community members who voted said if it weren’t for this initiative, they wouldn’t have been able to vote.

    Watch a short highlight reel from our BBQ below!

    That week, our Community Engagement team also visited each of our four food spaces to shuttle over 100 clients to vote and ensure no one was turned away from exercising their right to vote. For some, it was their very first time voting.

    “This whole initiative, whether it was the BBQ or the shuttles from our food banks to the polling station was really just about making sure the people most impacted by the affordability crisis are having their voices heard in this election,” says North York Harvest’s Senior Advocacy Specialist Chiara Padovani.

    By removing barriers in the voting process, nearly 200 community members cast their ballot this federal election!

    Four people wearing red North York Harvest attire smile together at an advocacy tent at a community BBQ.

  6. Our community mobilized for change – and won!

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    In December, the City of Toronto declared food insecurity an emergency.

    In the following two months, North York Harvest Food Bank collected hundreds of petition signatures, sent dozens of letters and gave deputations to urge every city councillor to pass a city budget that puts people first.

    For years North York Harvest has been making policy recommendations to government, but this year we mobilized our community like never before to take these issues to the doorstep of our decisionmakers and put them on notice.

    On the day of the official City budget deliberation, we brought a delegation of 60+ people from our community food banks and joined with other community members and organizations at the City Budget Rally outside City Hall.

    (In December our Community Action Group got together for an Art Build event, where North York Harvest clients made signs and posters. The event was a platform for our community to connect with one another on issues that are impacting them every day and use their voice for real change.)

    After the rally, we went into City Hall to deliver petitions to our elected officials, calling for them to support the following in the budget:

    A TTC fare freeze
    The TTC fare freeze means people won’t have to choose between transportation and their next meal.With food bank users having as little as $7.78 left per day after rent and utilities, even a small fare increase can make a big difference.

    More funding for renter supports
    Additional funding for RentSafeTO, the Toronto Rent Bank and the Tenant Support Program will help prevent evictions and protect affordable housing in Toronto.

    An expansion of the Student Nutrition Program
    With 1 in 4 food bank users being a child, access to nutritional food at school is life-changing.

    More funding for drop-in meal programs
    Drop-ins are providing life-saving meals to Toronto’s most vulnerable populations, and adding $530,000 to the Creating Health Plus budget would ensure these vital programs would at least be able to operate with the same level of funding as last year. 

    And together … we won!

    Dozens of people holding protest signs stand together during a rally outside City Hall

    Thanks to the advocacy of our community, the meaningful action of Mayor Olivia Chow and many city councillors, and the support of our donors who make this work possible, more children will have meals, more renters will have support, drop-in meal programs will continue to be able to serve vulnerable communities, and budgets won’t get squeezed even further by transit costs.

    Together we make change happen!

  7. Interested in becoming a Board Member?

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    North York Harvest is looking for candidates to join our dynamic Board of Directors.  

    If you have passion for our vision of a community where all members are able to meet their food needs, this may be the volunteer position for you.    

    Do you have:

    • Experience working in or with government
    • Understanding of poverty reduction and food security
    • Experience or connection to food distribution
    • Strategic planning

    We are seeking candidates for board terms effective February 2020; please note that orientation, including introduction to the Board, will begin as early as December 2019.

    If you are interested in this opportunity, please review the NYH Board Posting.

     

     

  8. We Need Your Help

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    For many Toronto children, summer is a time for savory barbecues and fun-filled picnics. You yourself may be lucky enough to enjoy a holiday getaway with your friends and family this summer.

    But right now families in your community need your support more than ever.

    Many children from low-income families depend on food programs at their schools for lunch or breakfast. Sadly, in the summer months, these kids go without many of these important meals.  

    This time of year is even more difficult for working families who also have to pay for daycare (when the children are not in school).  

    The reality is . . . families in our community struggle even harder to put food on the table during the summer.  

    There are over 16,000 people who must use the food bank every month. 40% of these people are children.

    Almost two thirds of the children who rely on North York Harvest Food Bank every month are under the age of 11. That means that of the 6,000 children going hungry every month – close to 4,000 children under 11 are without food.

    But together we can make a huge difference in the lives of people in your community that struggle to put food on the table.

    What can you do today to make sure these children, and their families, get the food they need? It’s simple: Donate to our North York Harvest Food Bank Hunger Alert Campaign this summer.

    Your gift will go to work immediately to help feed:

    • Children whose single parent can’t afford both day care and three nutritious meals a day
    • Elderly who struggle to survive on their pensions
    • Families whose wage earners suddenly find themselves unemployed and forced to slash their food budget to pay for rent and living expenses
    • Workers who are straining to survive on shrinking pay cheques and rising living costs in North York
    • People from all walks of life who believed they would only ever donate to a food bank, never imagining that they might need to use one.

    When you make a gift to North York Harvest Food Bank you will help people through these difficult times, provide nourishment, and rebuild their will to overcome their challenging situations.

    Hunger doesn’t take a vacation but you can make a difference.  

    Also, your gift will be tripled this summer — for every dollar you donate, we can stretch that towards $3 worth of healthy and nutritious food for your neighbours in need

    Right now we need your support more than ever. Donate now to make a difference in the lives of more than 16,000 people each month.