We need survey volunteers. Daily Bread conducts an annual survey of people who rely on food banks and we need volunteers to conduct those surveys for two to three hour shifts from February to mid-April in over 50 food banks across the GTA.  Hours of shifts and locations vary to suit you. You must be 19 years old. Training is provided. If you have never volunteered for us before, this is a great way to get involved and learn more about poverty and hunger and how it is affecting people in Toronto. To find out more or to sign up, please call 416-203-0050 x288 or email richard@dailybread.ca.

Written by Anne Makhoul (Caledon Institute of Social Policy) and Richard Matern (Research Coordinator at Daily Bread Food Bank), the People’s Review Panel: Getting the Ontario Social Assistance Review issues straight… from people with lived experiences of poverty is a great summary on the work that this panel is doing. The People’s Review Panel is composed of 18 members from across Ontario who will provide input into Ontario’s Social Assistance Review.  People with lived experience of poverty are working with both Voices from the Street and Daily Bread Food Bank to record, analyze and summarize the policy barriers which currently impede them.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday this weekend. Happy New Year!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to the Holiday Drive. With your generous donations we have raised $800,000 and 703,000 pounds of food. Help us hit our goals of $1 million and 1 million pounds of food by January 3! The donations to the Holiday Drive will help us fill our shelves and continue to provide food through the next few winter months.

You can donate online by clicking here. Drop off non-perishable food donations to your local fire hall any time during the year or to a Loblaws, Loblaw Great Food, valu-mart, nofrills or Real Canadian Superstore until January 3rd. If your Toronto Loblaws store doesn’t have a collection going, please feel free to ask the manager to start one – we’re happy to drop off a bin that they can keep in their store until the end of the Holiday Drive. You can also let us know by emailing us at info@dailybread.ca.

Want to know more about Daily Bread Food Bank and how your donations are helping? Check out this great video by CityNews from December 21st: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/video/105397

Thanks again to Breakfast Television, CityNews and AM680 News for another successful Spirit of the Season, an annual holiday fundraiser for Daily Bread Food Bank. So far, Spirit of the Season has raised $73,800 and 5,500 pounds.  To everyone who came out and donated today – thank you! We hope you had a great time. If you missed it, click here to watch some highlights from CityNews.

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Sounds of the Season, the annual fundraiser held by CBC Radio 99.1 FM. On December 3rd, radio shows like Metro Morning broadcast live in front of an enthusiastic audience at Glenn Gould Studio. On-air personalities such as Dwight Drummond and Rick Mercer met with the crowd out in the atrium. There were musical performances, special guests and all of it benefited a great cause – local food banks throughout the GTA.

So far, over $152,000 has been raised. Donations will continue to be gratefully accepted until the end of December. Last year, Sounds of the Season raised $275,000 and they are hoping to make this year’s campaign just as successful.

Click here to donate online to Sounds of the Season.

Missed Sounds of the Season?

Gail Nyberg, as spokesperson for local food banks in the GTA, talks with Matt Galloway about the need in the community.

Check out a slideshow of highlights from the day by clicking here.

Holiday Drive! November 26 to January 3

Donate online, or drop off nutritious non-perishable food to your local fire hall, Loblaws, Loblaw Great Food, valu-mart, No Frills or Real Canadian Superstore. You can also donate by phone Monday to Friday by calling us at 416-203-0050, or mail a cheque to Daily Bread Food Bank, 191 New Toronto Street, Toronto, ON, M8V 2E7.

Law Firm Challenge November 22 to December 13

Each year, the Blakes articling students, with the help of students at other Toronto law firms, organize a competitive holiday food drive on behalf of Toronto’s legal community, with all proceeds going to Daily Bread Food Bank. Last year over 35 law firms participated and raised a total of more than $250,000 in cash and food donations. It was one of Daily Bread’s chief fundraising projects during the winter, and it helped provide many individuals and families with much-needed support.

Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market Friday December 3 until Sunday, December 12

From December 3 to 12, head down to the Distillery District (along with a non-perishable food donation!) and support Daily Bread while exploring a traditional Christmas Market. Open noon to 8 p.m. For more info, click here. Citytv and AM680 are proud supporters of the market, and Daily Bread Food Bank. More info at www.torontochristmasmarket.com

CBC Radio One 99.1 FM’s Sounds of the Season Friday, December 3

A day-long broadcasting event at CBC studios in downtown Toronto. Listen to 99.1 FM or come down and check out the shows live – with musical guests, special guests, a silent auction and more. On December 3^rd from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. More info at www.cbc.ca/toronto.

Cover FX Monday, December 6

Bring a non-perishable food item for Daily Bread Food Bank and get a free MintGlaze FX  on December 6 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. One per person, while supplies last. Located at the Eaton Centre on Yonge Street across from Dundas Square.

BT/Home Depot Tree Sale Friday, December 10

Citytv’s Breakfast Television will be hosting a tree sale at Yonge-Dundas Square just in time for the holidays. Trees are available for a minimum donation of $10 – all proceeds supporting Daily Bread. On December 10 from 6 a.m. until all 1,000 trees are sold!

TTC Holiday Drive Fundraising Thursday December 9 and Friday December 10

Daily Bread volunteers will out collecting cash donations at TTC subway stations through Toronto on December 9^th and 10^th.  Volunteers will be there between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at various stations around town including Islington and Bloor. Take a minute out of your morning commute to donate, or just say hi. Even better, if you have some time to spare and would like to help a great cause, we still need volunteers for this event! If you are interested and available, please email Mark at markl@dailybread.ca.

HoHoTO Thursday, December 16

A holiday fundraising extravaganza at the Mod Club. For more information or tickets, go to hohoto.ca. Tickets on sale as of December 1^st. More information at http://hohoto.ca.

Citytv’s Spirit of the Season Friday, December 17

Bring a donation of non-perishable food and meet some of Citytv’s on-air personalities at The Sheraton Centre on December 17^th. Breakfast Television will be live from the main lobby starting at 6 a.m. Check out www.citytv.com for more details. AM680 will also be a part of the festivities.

Holiday Drive Public Food Sorts Monday December 27 and Tuesday, December 28

Help sort and pack food at our warehouse on December 27 and 28. There are two days and four shifts available Monday, December 27: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Groups are welcome, for more details or to register, please call 416-203-0050. UPDATE: We are now full!

Light to Unite Friday December 3, 10, 17 and 24

At noon every following Friday in December until Dec. 24th drop off donations of food or funds in front of St. Andrew’s United Church at 117 Bloor Street East. Enjoy seasonal songs by a choir and hot chocolate. More information at http://www.standrewsunited.com/news-events/news/light-to-unite