A Toronto food bank has set its highest donation goal yet, hoping to make up for a slow November and prepare for a busy holiday season.

The Daily Bread Food Bank launched its annual Holiday Drive on Wednesday with support from Toronto firefighters. The non-profit charity hopes to collect $2.5 million and 1 million pounds of food this season to fill bare shelves across the city.

"November was a particularly slow month for donations, and we're worried about that. We send hundreds of thousands of pounds of food out a month to meal programs and food banks across Toronto. We want to make sure that the thousands of families that rely on Daily Bread don't have to worry about how to feed their children this winter, as well as this holiday season,"Executive Director Gail Nyberg said in a statement.

The food bank has a long-standing partnership with Toronto Fire Service, who helps gather the donations and raise money. As donations come in, Daily Bread distributes food through 200 food banks and meal programs across the city.

Daily Bread's latest hunger statistics suggest over a million people used food banks in the GTA last year, for the fifth year in a row. Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke food banks have seen a 40 per cent increase in visits since 2008. As well, one third of people who rely on food banks are children 14 and under.

Last year, Daily Bread's Holiday Drive raised $2.1 million and just over 555,000 pounds of food.

The Holiday Drive runs until Dec. 31.

Where to donate

Fire stations across Toronto are accepting donations, and are open 24 hours a day.

Daily Bread offers an online option, where donors can make a one-time payment or set up a monthly or yearly contribution.

Most grocery stores have food donation bins for a local food bank, and you can also drop off cash donations at Daily Bread's main facility, at 191 New Toronto Street, or one of their ongoing drop-off locations.


View Daily Bread Food Bank - Food Drop-off Locations in a larger map

Most needed food items

  • Baby food and formula
     
  • Canned fruits
     
  • Canned vegetables
     
  • Pasta
     
  • Rice
     
  • Tomato sauce
     
  • Soups and stews
     
  • Canned tuna and meat
     
  • Peanut butter
     
  • Canned or dried beans and lentils
     
  • Powdered milk

 

How to use a food bank

If you're in need, you qualify. When visiting for the first time, Ontario food banks will assess how they can properly address your needs. You will need to bring photo identification, proof of address and proof of monthly income and expenditures.