“The volunteers here are the best people. I’ve met the nicest people,” Gwendolyn Wong said as she chuckled, her eyes sparkling with joy. Her energy was infectious, even after two hours of breaking down chunks of meat in the Daily Bread kitchen, a routine she compared to a great workout.
Since Gwen moved to Toronto over a year ago, she’s found herself warmly welcomed in a community she loves while contributing to a cause she believes in.
Her journey at Daily Bread began in the production hall, where volunteers sort through thousands of pounds of food every day, getting them ready for distribution to our network of member agencies. It was when Gwen transitioned into the kitchen that she felt something click.
“It really resonated with me,” she said, after learning that the meals they make are distributed all over the city. “It’s such a beautiful way to contribute to the community.”
Today, Gwen often comes in on Mondays or Tuesdays and sometimes later in the week. This schedule allows her to see the entire cycle of food preparation: from hundreds of pounds of meat processed first thing in the morning, vegetables chopped and measured for efficiency, to meals that are eventually portioned, labelled, frozen, and sent across Toronto. She loves the pride the kitchen team takes in every meal, from flavour to presentation with every sprig of parsley and sprinkle of cheese as garnish.
“It’s really satisfying,” she shared.
Volunteering at Daily Bread has also changed how Gwen understands hunger in Toronto. “It’s not temporary anymore,” she said. “The social safety nets just aren’t what they used to be.”
She eagerly reads and shares Daily Bread’s stories with her friends and family. Publications like the Who’s Hungry report keeps her informed of the reality of food insecurity in her new home. That awareness is part of why Gwen is not only a dedicated volunteer, but also a monthly donor.
“The work we do with our hands [in the kitchen] is essential — but monthly giving pays for the meat, the onions … We need both,” Gwen said.
What Gwen treasures most is the sense of belonging that has grown inside the kitchen. It brings together people from different walks of life. They encourage each other and celebrate each other’s milestones—like when one volunteer became a Canadian citizen last summer.
Outside the food bank, Gwen enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband love cooking—food, connection, and community remain constant threads in her life.
“When you volunteer, you have a community,” she said. “It’s a community of people who feel as passionate as you are about levelling the playing field, making things a little bit fairer for everyone.”
Join Gwen in making a tangible difference in your community. Become a Daily Bread volunteer today!
