Comments Off on Tammy’s Story
Once, Tammy was a client who turned to North York Harvest Food Bank when she had nowhere else to go.
Today, after graduating from the Leadership in Logistics (LIL) program, she is a line manager at North York Harvest, and a cherished mentor to our LIL students. Tammy now helps to guide students to chase after their own success and stability, just like she once did. Read her story below.
I’ve been on my own, and often homeless, since I was 13 years old.
As you can imagine, I’ve been through some really, really, tough times. Times when I didn’t know where my next meal would come from.
Times when I went without food just so my kids could eat. Times when I almost lost hope entirely. During those years, I often turned to the food bank — because I had no other place to go.
What I found was a community that refused to let me fall through the cracks. North York Harvest Food Bank made sure I could put food on the table for myself and my kids when we needed it most.
When my fridge and cupboards were empty week after week, I came up with a painful strategy. I ate on Mondays, then went without on Tuesday and Wednesday, so my kids would have enough. By Thursday, I’d eat again just to keep going.
I knew something had to change — for their sake and mine. That’s when I discovered North York Harvest’s job-training program. It wasn’t easy. It took courage, determination, and a lot of hard work. I can tell you that getting into that program was the beginning of my life turning around.
Today, I’m proud to say I work at North York Harvest Food Bank as a line manager in their warehouse. I get to help ensure that 30,000 people, who are in situations like I was, can access the food they need with dignity.
Even more meaningful for me — I am now the instructor for the same training program that helped me rebuild my own life.
Every day, I try to show people what I once needed to hear: You are not alone, and we will not give up on you.
A year ago, the City of Toronto declared food insecurity an emergency, but nothing has changed except the lines at the food bank are longer. 1 in 10 Torontonians rely on food banks and heartbreakingly, 1 in 4 of them is a child!
I’m asking you to help another family like mine, going through one of the hardest moments of their lives.
Your gift this holiday season will provide food and other essential supports to children and families, living right here in our neighbourhood.
Until December 31st, you can make 2X the difference for neighbours facing food insecurity, thanks to a match from the Schulich Foundation.
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