Tag Archive: toronto

  1. Our New Home

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    It’s been an exciting few months for the North York Harvest Food Bank. Our new Executive Director Ryan Noble joined the team in March, we’re currently tallying the numbers from our Spring Food Drive (more details coming soon), and over the next few weeks, we will begin the exciting process of moving into our new home.

    As of June 1st, NYHFB’s main office and warehouse will be located at 116 Industry Street in Toronto’s Mt. Dennis neighbourhood. You might be wondering why we’re looking to make such a big move? Well, the answer is that we’ve long outgrown our current space in Lawrence Heights. Our new, larger facility has more space and capacity, allowing us to accept and distribute a greater quantity and quality of your food donations to our community food spaces and member agencies. This means more healthy food for your neighbors in need. And don’t worry – just because we’re moving doesn’t mean we are changing our services.  We will still be providing food to all our agencies and clients in northern Toronto.

    A few highlights of the new space include:

    • A bigger and more organized volunteer food sorting area
    • Additional food racking to hold your generous food donations
    • 2 proper loading docks, greatly simplify our drop-offs and deliveries.
    • More space for forklifts, allowing for more efficient sorting and distribution.
    • A fridge triple the size our old one, and freezer double the size of our old one, allowing us to accept and distribute more of your fresh produce and food donations.

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    If you visited the Lawrence Heights location in the past probably noticed that we had a client serving food bank onsite. That service will not be moving over to the new office, but fear not, our clients now have access to the NYH – Mamma Caya Food Space located a short distance away.

    At the end of the day, we believe this move puts us in a place ensuring that your donations can go further and help more people. This is next step in a long term vision for a city where no one goes hungry.

    We look forward to creating memories with you at our new home, and want to start by inviting you to a Community BBQ on June 25th. We’ll be releasing details shortly, so stay tuned to our Event Calendar.

     

  2. Three Meals a Day: Nourishing Youth

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    Ever wonder where your next meal was coming from? Or how you’d manage to afford groceries that week? For the youth in our food bank community, these are critical questions. Your support provides a nourishing response.

    Troy lives in a youth homeless shelter that North York Harvest Food Bank delivers food to each week. “Hunger is definitely a crisis. The case is there isn’t food to eat or there is. If there is food in the stomach, even if you don’t have love, you are warm.”

    With the most basic needs of food and shelter met, Troy can focus on taking advantage of the opportunities to change his life. Recently, he applied for an apprenticeship to become an arborist, something he has wanted to do for years, and says that in general things are looking better.

    Robin Eva's PlaceRobin echoes Troy’s sentiment. Also living in the shelter system, Robin has been through some tough times. “I ran away from my mom because she was abusive.” After several attempts, Robin has now found a safe, wheelchair accessible space where three meals are served each day.

     

    With your help, North York Harvest delivers food to youth shelters throughout northern Toronto, providing young people with access to nourishing meals so they can begin to imagine a future.

    In addition to delivering food, we also run programs that can help build skills for the future. This month, our Oriole Food Space begins a community kitchen prog
    ram in partnership with the shelter where Troy and Robin are staying.

    It will focus on cooking with affordable ingredients to make healthy, simple meals. From culinary skills to food safety, youth will be better prepared for when they leave the shelter. They will also learn that local food banks can be a support as they transition into building a new life on their own.

    Food is not only a basic human need, it is a building block for a healthier, better life. When you give to North York Harvest, you open up opportunities. As Troy says: “It is important everyone has sustenance in their life, otherwise you aren’t privileged enough to be healthy like everyone else.”

    Your gift to North York Harvest Food Bank today will provide food to the youth who need it, and open up opportunities for a brighter future.

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  3. I Ran As A Carrot

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    We spoke with  Peter Zsissis, a long time supporter of North York Harvest Food Bank about his participation in the Scotiabank Water Front Marathon to raise money for those without enough food.

    NYHFB: What inspired you to get involved with the North York Harvest Food Bank?

    Peter: I believe it is important to “give back” at the community level.

    NYHFB: What inspires you to participate in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon?

    Peter: The opportunity to raise awareness for the NYHFB while doing something I enjoy – running.

    NYHFB: How long have you been involved with this event?

    Peter: This will be my 7th year.

    NYHFB: Do you get your family and friends involved?

    Peter: Over the years, my spouse, daughter, sister, co-workers and other friends have done the event with me.

    NYHFB: What is it like to wear a costume for a run?

    Peter: More fun than I could have ever imagined!

    NYHFB: How did you decide to wear a costume and run?

    Peter: I was inspired by a fellow supporter of the NYHFB who once ran the Scotiabank ½ marathon in costume as well as the many others that run the 5k event in costume each year.

    NYHFB: Do you have a favourite memory from any of the previous events?

    Peter: Yes. It was clearly running the event in costume for the 1st time last year alongside 2 other supporters of the food bank who also ran in costume. We had so much fun!

    NYHFB: Any advice for new participants?

    Peter: Get in a costume and have more fun!

    Want to share your running experience with us? Contact Leslie at leslie@northyorkharvest.com