Demand for food banks escalate as local charities prepare for holiday season

Visits to food banks have risen by 61% in inner suburbs and 14% in the downtown core since 2008, according to a report by a North York based food bank

With Christmas right around the corner, charity organizations across Toronto are beginning to accept donations to help families in need this season.

While food banks all over the GTA are working towards collecting donations, many are struggling to keep up with the demand, according to Sarah Watson of the North York Harvest food bank.

“As the housing cost keeps going up, people from low income groups are pushed from downtown core to inner suburbs. This demand is too much and we’re trying to keep up,” said Watson, Director of Community Engagement at North York Harvest Food Bank.

In late October, North York Harvest published a report in partnership with the Daily Bread Food Bank titled ‘Who’s Hungry’. It provides an update on the state of hunger and food security in Toronto.

The report found that the visits to food banks have increased by 61 per cent within the inner suburbs and 14 per cent in downtown core since 2008.

There were 914,470 visits to food banks in the past year alone.

This year, Toronto City Hall is partnering with Toronto Fire Fighters Toy Drive and the Daily Bread Food Bank for its annual holiday drive to collect unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items.

 

“At this time of the year, it is easy to get caught up in the celebration and the magic of the season,” said Mayor John Tory. “But it’s also important to remember the spirit of Christmas and to focus on ways to help those who are less fortunate to celebrate the holidays.”

The Daily Bread Food Bank, the largest of its kind in Canada and a co-author to the ‘Who’s Hungry’ report, is a local charity organization that is accepting both non-perishable food items and monetary donations in what is its biggest fundraising goal to date.

“Our annual Holiday Food Drive this year kicked off on Nov. 26 with an aim to reach a fundraising goal of $4 million. (It’s) the largest goal by Daily Bread to date,” said Ruth Gebremedhin, Public Relations Specialist at the Daily Bread Food Bank.

Daily Bread also has a food donation goal set at 1.3 million pounds. 

“How much we finally raise will only be known after Dec. 31 when we wrap up this season’s holiday drive,” said Gebremedhin. “The public is encouraged to participate by dropping food donations off at fire stations and grocery stores across Toronto.”

President of Toronto Fire Fighters’ Toy Drive Rick Berenz said that his team of retired and active fire fighters have been donating close to $1 million worth of toys annually.

Berenz said that all fire fighters volunteer for this worthy cause and no one involved is paid for their time or service. “We do it on a budget of approximately $12,000. This is something I am very proud of,” said Berenz.

While the public response to donations has been slow according to Berenz, he said this not unusual.

“As of Nov. 29, we are on par with what was collected as this point last year,” said Tracey Williams, Communications Advisor to City of Toronto. Last year, the holiday drive collected 1,108 toys and 2,193 pounds of food.

“Torontonians are generous and we hope they will continue to support the City’s Holiday Toy & Food Drive,” said Williams. “Our goal is to exceed last year’s donations.”