Nancy had built a strong and successful career in finance, known for its stability and clear progression. But she felt drawn to something more personal and meaningful. “I volunteered in hospice care and kept hearing the same advice from patients: Don’t waste time on things you’re not passionate about,” she says. That wisdom stayed with her and ultimately inspired her to transition from finance to pursue greater connection and purpose.
She began by helping with food distribution at Allan Gardens Food Bank, a Daily Bread member agency, where she saw firsthand the critical role Daily Bread plays behind the scenes. Inspired, Nancy got more involved and now volunteers with Daily Bread’s Information and Referral Outreach Program.
“I see myself as a bridge,” Nancy says. “I connect people to the resources that can help them stabilize their lives.” Whether it’s housing supports, job training, or low-cost medical care, volunteers with the Information and Referral Outreach Program—located at Allan Gardens, Nourish East End, Avenue Road, New Toronto Street food banks, and Haven on the Queensway—assist clients in accessing vital supports that go beyond emergency food.
One afternoon, that bridge became a lifeline for a client who had recently lost her husband in a tragic car accident. The client had been injured in the same crash and now used a wheelchair. On top of that, she was navigating a new country, a language barrier, and urgent needs related to housing, food access, and income support. Because Nancy speaks Mandarin, she was able to communicate directly and help break the situation into manageable steps—connecting her with disability supports, accessible housing applications, and more. “By the end, she was in tears—not from sadness, but from finally feeling seen and supported,” Nancy recalls.
Each week, Nancy meets dozens of clients navigating immense challenges like job loss, housing instability, and serious health concerns. According to Daily Bread’s Who’s Hungry 2024 report, 57% of respondents cited the rising cost of living as their primary reason for turning to a food bank. More than one in five spend 100% or more of their income on housing—leaving nothing for food, transit, or other basic needs. Nancy emphasizes that the Information and Referral Outreach Program goes far beyond simply providing information—it’s about listening without judgment, affirming people’s dignity and offering hope that can carry them from despair to possibility.
For Nancy, this work has been more than a volunteer commitment—it’s clarified her future. Supporting others through moments of crisis has affirmed her decision to fully pivot into the nonprofit sector, dedicating her career to community service. “It feels aligned with what gives my life meaning,” she says.
Donate today to support Daily Bread’s services, like the Information and Referral Outreach Program, and volunteers like Nancy who help remove barriers and create pathways to stability.
