On Tuesday, September 15, we launched our annual Thanksgiving drive, announcing our goals of raising $5 million and 185,000 lbs of food by October 31. Hitting these numbers will help us ensure that every Torontonian has the food they need to feed their families this holiday season.
We made this announcement in Nathan Phillips Square, an iconic spot in our city that we took over to shine a blaring spotlight on this stark reality: 1 in 10 people here in Toronto use a food bank.
Toronto is in a food insecurity crisis. Last year, Toronto food banks saw 4.1 million client visits, a 340% increase over pre-pandemic numbers. Behind each of these visits is a parent, a child, a senior — a neighbour facing a hard time who needs help.
Fortunately, we are surrounded by a community ready to roll up their sleeves in the fight to end hunger.
As part of this year’s drive, Daily Bread is partnering for the eighth year in a row with Purolator on the Toronto Red Bag campaign. Aiming to raise enough food for 30,000 meals, the Red Bag initiative is part of the Purolator Tackle Hunger® National Red Bag Campaign, which supports families facing food insecurity across Canada.
If you don’t receive a red bag at your doorstep, you can still contribute food donations to our drive by dropping non-perishable food off at any Toronto fire hall, thanks to our now 30-year-long partnership with Toronto Fire Services.
Thank you so much to the day’s speakers for helping us raise awareness of the cause: MPP Chris Glover, Spadina-Fort York; Paul Fitzgerald, Deputy Fire Chief, Toronto Fire Services; and Steve Scorca, Director of Operations, Purolator.
The public is encouraged to participate in the Thanksgiving drive. Here’s how you can help:
