This holiday season, join CBC Toronto for their annual celebration of community and kindness in support of local foods banks, Make the Season Kind (formerly known as Sounds of the Season).
Food banks need your help now more than ever. The high cost of living is driving more and more individuals and families to our doors. One in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks to make ends meet.
But you can be a lifeline to families experiencing hunger this holiday season. Read on for six ways you can help make the season kind.
Your financial gift to Daily Bread through CBC Make the Season Kind will help provide emergency food access to thousands of families, seniors and individuals. Donate online or donate by phone in December by calling us at 1-866-416-KIND [5463].
The donation hotline will be staffed every weekday in December from 8:30am – 4:30pm, except Friday, December 6, when lines will be open from 5:30am – 7:00pm.
Whether you’re donating online or on the phone, don’t forget to use a prize code for your chance to take home an incredible prize. The more times you donate, the greater chance you have to win the prize. This year’s prizes include a Tragically Hip jersey signed by the entire band, a Canada Reads 15-book package and more.
Starting November 13, all publicly funded elementary schools in Ontario are invited to teach students about powerful themes of social justice, poverty and food access through the CBC School Challenge, open to grades 1-8. Participating classes will have the chance to receive special prizes and recognition in a CBC announcement in January 2025. Share this news with your child’s teacher and learn how classes can register now.
Come sing festive favourites with CBC stars at this free Make the Season Kind event from 6:30-11:00pm on Friday, Dec. 13, at STACKT market. Attendees will enjoy live music, sing-alongs, pop-up stations and special giveaways! Daily Bread Food Bank will be on-site to collect non-perishable food and monetary donations.
Event-goers will be able to serenade the season with CBC personalities, including Allan Hawco (Saint-Pierre, Republic of Doyle); Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Son of a Critch); Supinder Wraich and Samer Salem (Allegiance); Luke Hutchie (Ghosting); Chandan Fashion’s Singh family (Bollywed) and Sharron Matthews (Frankie Drake Mysteries).
Introduce your kids to concepts of hunger, inequity and the importance of giving back with our “12 Days of Giving” activity. Here’s how it works: You first decorate a box or bag, then for 12 days this season you put in something from our list of most needed items. At the end of the 12 days, you donate your box or bag through one of the methods outlined below, under “Donate food.”
During your giving period, you can start conversations with your kids about food insecurity with our given prompts. This is a great way to incorporate themes of charity and community into your family’s holiday season.
Help put food on the table for neighbours in need by dropping off non-perishable items in one of our Daily Bread yellow bins at any Toronto fire hall or participating grocery store. You can also come directly to us at Daily Bread Food Bank (Gate 2) and drop off food from Monday-Friday, 10:00am – 3:30pm, or order non-perishable food to be delivered to us at 191 New Toronto Street during those same hours.
Want to host a food drive, or ask family and friends to bring non-perishable donations to your next holiday party? Give out this downloadable list of our most needed items to help guide donations.
Multiply your impact by sharing your efforts to #MakeTheSeasonKind on social media. Tag us on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn so we can give you kudos, too. You never know who in your network will be inspired to roll up their sleeves and help! Together, we can make a difference for our neighbours facing food insecurity.
Thank you for your generous support of Daily Bread through CBC’s Make the Season Kind!
