As a teenager, Leisa was determined to build the life she dreamed of. When she was diagnosed with sickle cell anemia, her doctor told her that if there was anything she wanted to accomplish, she should do it now—before her illness made it too difficult. So she did.
Leisa graduated from college and built a career in the commercial photography industry as a professional stylist. She worked hard, became in demand, and created a beautiful life with her daughter and family.
But in 2020, her illness progressed to the point where she could no longer continue working. Then, in 2023, she was devastated by the loss of her beloved husband and grandmother. Without her husband’s income, Leisa suddenly found herself worrying about something she had never imagined: where her next meal would come from.
“That was a rude awakening,” she says. “I did the work. I went to school, I did it right. And because my illness took me out, I ended up in this impossible situation.”
Leisa is not alone. Daily Bread’s Who’s Hungry 2025 report revealed a stark reality: food bank visits reached an all-time high of 4.1 million—more than half a million more than the previous year, and a 340% increase since 2019.
More neighbours are being pushed into poverty by low wages, inadequate income supports, unaffordable housing, and the rising cost of living. The income Leisa receives from the Ontario Disability Support Program falls far short of what she needs to cover rent, groceries, and the cost of supporting her daughter through college.
To make ends meet, Leisa began skipping meals. “I let my daughter eat while I pretended to eat,” she says. This took a toll on Leisa’s already fragile health, until she learned about Daily Bread Food Bank. She was able to access fresh and nourishing food that helped her regain strength.
“People need nutritious food to focus and move forward in life,” says Leisa. “The food bank has given me that opportunity again, because I didn’t have it before when I was skipping meals.”
More than one in ten Torontonians—neighbours like Leisa—rely on food banks to make ends meet. If you would like to provide your support, each dollar donated provides one meal, which enables Daily Bread to maintain an inventory of non-perishable items, fresh produce, dairy, and protein, and supporting a network of more than 200 food and meal programs across city.
For Leisa, and for thousands across Toronto, the cost-of-living crisis is not abstract. It’s deeply personal. “This is a world-class city,” she says. “We all deserve to eat.”
If you would like to help neighbours facing hunger, please click here to donate today.
