On November 3, we hosted our annual Best in Class Awards at the National Yacht Club. It was a special evening that celebrated the donors, volunteers, and supporters who share our vision of ending hunger in our city.
We were delighted to welcome back Gurdeep Ahluwalia of 98.1 CHFI’s The Pooja and Gurdeep Show, who once again co-hosted alongside Neil Hetherington, our CEO. A special thank-you to Gurdeep for bringing his trademark humour and charm, helping the evening flow effortlessly.
All of us at Daily Bread extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s 2025 Best in Class Award recipients and nominees:
Victor Willis is a long-time community development and housing leader based in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood, with over 30 years of experience advancing supportive housing, mental health, and neighbourhood initiatives. Victor has played a key role in preserving and expanding affordable housing in Parkdale. He spearheaded the redevelopment of Edmond Place — a 29-unit supportive housing building that opened in 2011 — and was a founding member of the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust. Beyond PARC, he has served as a trustee at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), chaired its Clinical Quality Committee, sat on its Property Committee, and served on the board of the Daily Bread Food Bank, where he chaired the Program Support Committee.
O’Doughs Bakery is a true Food Industry Trailblazer, transforming the way donations flow through our network. By embedding food donations into their daily operations, they ensure a consistent supply of staple foods for our programs. Their innovative approach not only meets immediate needs but also drives systemic change that will benefit neighbourhoods long into the future.
Congratulations to Sofina Foods Inc. and Egg Solutions on their nominations!
Acrisure Re has emerged as one of Daily Bread’s most dedicated and enthusiastic supporters since early 2024. During their first year of supporting Daily Bread, Acrisure Re selected Daily Bread as the beneficiary of their annual “Jambo Re” trivia fundraising event, raising over $11,500 in just a few short weeks. To date, they have collectively raised an impressive $43,000 in support of our programs.
Congratulations to BDO Canada LLP and MNP LLP on their nominations!
The team at Holy Wisdom Food Bank exemplifies client-centered service and makes every effort to know each person in their community and cater to their needs whenever possible. When major construction began at the Church of the Holy Wisdom, they quickly pivoted and worked tirelessly to convert a nearby garage into a clean, welcoming, and organized food bank—ensuring no interruption in service. Visitors are met with a warm smile from Reverend Gerlyn and Gail, who are also a generous support to fellow food banks across Scarborough.
Congratulations to Norseman Community Food Bank and Tropicana Community Services Food Bank on their nominations!
Bondi Produce & Specialty Foods has consistently kept Daily Bread as their recipient of choice for any quality surplus product that doesn’t make it to market. When they expanded into the food-service business with prepared meals, they once again looked to Daily Bread—this time to redirect any excess, partially processed fresh product. This collaboration results in significant savings for our on-site kitchen and nutritious meals for our community. In the past year alone, they’ve redirected more than 150,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables to Daily Bread.
In May 2024, Augustina joined Daily Bread as a volunteer in food sorting. With her beaming smile and friendly demeanor she was soon greeting clients, volunteers, and staff at the Welcome Center and has now volunteered for over 2,000 hours! Every weekday, Augustina leaves her home in Scarborough by 5:45am, travelling an hour and 45 minutes by TTC to open Daily Bread Food Bank’s Welcome Centre before other volunteers start to arrive.
Congratulations to Bill D and Paul Gurza on their nominations!
The RBC Foundation is a proud partner in addressing food insecurity in Toronto. Their support has provided vital resources for Daily Bread to better serve those facing food insecurity. Their leadership has also sparked new opportunities in fundraising, food drives, marketing, and volunteer engagement, inspiring continued growth and collaboration.
Congratulations to SUNPAN and CapitalOne on their nominations!
After a flood forced the closure of their food bank, the Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Centre reopened in December 2024 with support from a Daily Bread Capacity Building Grant—their sixth Daily Bread–supported program. Located at Bloor and Christie, the new space fills a vital food access gap and offers a calm, dignified, and welcoming experience. Clients can share a meal upstairs while accessing holistic supports, with a new meal program in development to meet rising needs.
Congratulations to The Housing Help Centre and TNO-The Neighbourhood Organization on their nominations!
The Arrell Family Foundation is committed to improving human and planetary health through food. Their work spans research, policy, and programs that promote food security and sustainability. The Foundation established the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph to advance resilient and sustainable global food systems through evidence-based research. They have been a strong advocate for the National School Food Program, which the federal government recently announced will become a permanent program.
Congratulations to Diana Chan McNally and Elizabeth McIsaac and Kathleen Wynne on their nominations!
The Downtown Softball League was formed in 2024 by brothers Jake and Noah Parker and has quickly become one of Daily Bread’s largest grassroots community fundraisers. Centered around sportsmanship, inclusivity, and fun, the league has built a vibrant community of players united by their commitment to fighting food insecurity. Through registration fees and creative fundraising activities, the Downtown Softball League and its players have already raised more than $32,000 in support of Daily Bread.
Congratulations to a.m. realty group and Boulevard Blazers on their nominations!
For the past year, Reid’s Dairy has been a flexible, accommodating, and essential partner during a demanding time. We consistently rely on them, and the entire Belleville team—from Jamie, Bill, and Sheri, all the way up to Stephen, the third-generation owner—delivers for Daily Bread and our clients four times a week. They are a truly reliable and valued vendor.
Congratulations to J.L. Prime, Bondi Produce & Specialty Foods, and Amazon on their nominations!
SOSO World Ministries provides dignified food support across three Scarborough locations and 11 satellite programs in TCHC and TSHC buildings. Through strong partnerships, they maximize food access and offer essentials like jackets, socks, and toiletries. After completing a grassroots support program, they’ve become a consistent and stabilizing presence in southwest Scarborough.
Congratulations to The Neighbourhood Group Community Services and Margaret’s Housing and Community Support Services on their nominations!
The Donald Bainbridge Family Foundation has been an incredible supporter of Daily Bread since 2017. In 2024, they made a transformational gift of $1.5 million. Since Donald’s passing, the Foundation is managed by his wife Gail, his two daughters, Catherine and Lisa, and his long-time friend, Norman Goldman. Donald was born in Toronto and was a long-time supporter of many local charities including Daily Bread Food Bank.
