Bluffs Food Bank (BFB), located near Kingston Road and Warden Avenue in Scarborough, was founded on September 11, 2003, when five neighbourhood churches concerned about growing food insecurity, opened a food bank in the basement of Birchcliff Bluffs United Church.
A proud Daily Bread member agency, BFB is completely volunteer run, with no paid staff. This means that all financial donations are used to purchase food for food bank clients and for operating expenses, such as rent. Daily Bread serves as BFB’s primary food supplier.
Back when it first opened, BFB served just 24 families. Like many agencies across the city, BFB has seen an increase in need over recent years. The food bank now provides food to over 250 households, representing almost 1,000 people, each week. The client base is diverse, so BFB provides culturally appropriate food and customizes its offerings to meet the needs of clients with specific dietary requirements. Recently, the food bank has seen an increase in the number of clients who are working but struggling with food and housing costs, as well as newcomers to Canada who have nowhere else to turn for support.
The food bank is fully accessible, with ramps providing access to the building for clients in wheelchairs and scooters. Clients may receive service inside or outside, which allows them a more comfortable and flexible environment to best meet their needs.
Demand for BFB’s services has increased by over 40% in the past year, and the food bank could not have managed this growth without the work of its team of over fifty volunteers, whose many jobs include procuring and receiving deliveries, preparing food hampers, serving clients, translating, recording client visits and keeping the food bank clean. BFB also provides income tax services to clients in a friendly and efficient atmosphere.
We are proud to work alongside agencies like Bluffs Food Bank and are thankful for the service they have provided their community for 20 years – an incredible milestone. If you would like to support essential food programs, like BFB, click here to give generously today.
