COVID Announcements - Daily Bread Food Bank
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Please note: The New Toronto Street Food Bank is by appointment only, except for Thursday drop-in, pre-packed hampers. To book an appointment or register online please click here. When you register as a new client of the Daily Bread Food Bank network, you will be able to access any food bank supported by Daily Bread using your Client ID. If you are experiencing issues registering online, please call 416.203.0050 x1.
Daily Bread | COVID19 Announcements

Paid Sick Days Are Essential to Protecting Workers

April 22, 2021

“The bulk of cases now that seem to be driving this pandemic are happening in workplaces where essential workers are unable to fully physically distance from one another,” according to Dr. Camille Lemieux, medical lead for the University Health Network’s COVID-19 assessment centre.

This is one of several reasons why it is critical that the province reconsider its position on paid sick days.   Paid sick days are a key contributor to getting Ontario healthy again.

Take the fact that over 70% of low-wage workers in Canada do not have paid sick days. When feeling unwell, these workers are faced with the impossible decision of going into work and risk exposing others to COVID-19, or losing their wages and not being able to afford their basic necessities, like food.

Daily Bread’s Hunger Lives Here report found that food bank clients are at greater risk for exposure to COVID-19. Close to 60% of employed food bank clients were in occupations facing the highest COVID-19 cases, including sales, trades and transport, manufacturing and utilities to name a few.

COVID-19 cases have been concentrated in areas where individuals face systemic social and economic disadvantages. Overcrowded housing, higher use of public transit, and a greater need to travel outside one’s own home to work, or access food have all contributed to higher COVD-19 cases in these areas. Workers who are Black, Indigenous, and people of colour have been hardest hit by COVID-19 within Toronto and these communities continue to disproportionately experience lower-incomes and reduced job security

While the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit provides up to 10 days of income support for people who have COVID-19 or are required to self-isolate, this benefit does not fully meet the need of low-wage workers. For example, the benefit is only available if the worker misses at least 50% of their work week and has earned at last $5,000 in the prior year. Workers must apply for the benefit and there is a time delay to receiving the payment, leaving many in financially precarious positions. And finally, the $500 per week benefit is less than what a minimum wage worker in Ontario would earn working a regular 40 hour work week.

Paid sick days on the other hand are timely, responsive, and ensure no income disruption for workers so they can stay home when feeling unwell to protect those around them.

Providing paid sick days is critical, now more than ever, to address the immediate challenges of so many in our community who are forced to make the choice of a keeping food on the table, or going to work while feeling sick.  The lack of paid sick days exacerbates the inequities that marginalized communities face during the pandemic.

During this crucial window of time, we are hopeful that the Government of Ontario will do the right, safe and healthy thing – and legislate paid sick days.

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Monetary Donations

You can support our ongoing efforts in providing food to those who need it most during this challenging time.

 

Online Food Donations

Order online from your favourite grocery store and have items delivered directly to our warehouse:
191 New Toronto Street, Toronto, ON, M8V 2E7.

Drop-off Food Donations

You can drop off non-perishable food donations at any fire hall in the city.

Click here for a list of our most needed items.

Online Fundraising

You can run an online fundraiser in support of Daily Bread. It’s easy and you can do it while #stayinghome
Click here to set up your custom donation page.

Questions? Click here for a list of FAQs.

If you need food support, click here.



Past Announcements

Paid Sick Days Are Essential to Protecting Workers

April 22, 2021

“The bulk of cases now that seem to be driving this pandemic are happening in… Read More

New Toronto Street Food Bank Responds to the Second Lockdown

January 20, 2021

Back in the spring when COVID-19 hit, we were fortunate that the weather was warm,… Read More

Health and safety of migrant workers: Considerations for the 2021 growing season

January 8, 2021

Migrant farm workers comprise 42% of Ontario’s agricultural workers and are essential to… Read More

Daily Bread Food Bank Webinar - Beyond COVID-19: Building a Future Without Poverty

December 10, 2020

Daily Bread Food Bank released our annual Who’s Hungry report, a cornerstone of Daily Bread’s… Read More

Rising Cost of Groceries Increases Risk of Food Insecurity

December 9, 2020

According to the latest Canada Food Price Report, Canadian families can expect… Read More

Agency Spotlight: Grace Place

November 10, 2020

When COVID-19 hit Toronto, and lines of people began waiting for food in front of… Read More

Daily Bread Food Bank Meal Program Update

November 10, 2020

Part of Daily Bread Food Bank’s revised strategy to continue to meet… Read More

Updates to our New Toronto Street Food Bank

November 10, 2020

Daily Bread Food Bank believes that food is a human right and we have adopted a … Read More

What Ontario’s Fall Budget Means for Poverty Reduction

November 6, 2020

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario released their Fall 2020 budget entitled… Read More

Daily Bread Food Bank's 2020 Annual General Meeting

October 22, 2020

On Tuesday, October 20, Daily Bread Food Bank hosted our 2020 Annual General Meeting. Read More