In the spirit of National Volunteer Week, we wanted to take a moment to express our profound gratitude to the incredible individuals who dedicate their time and energy to support our mission. Throughout the week-long celebration, we’ve been humbled by the generosity and selflessness of over 3,505 volunteers who collectively contributed a staggering 99,011 hours of service in this fiscal year alone.
These volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, enabling us to provide emergency food access for the one in ten Torontonians that rely on food banks. Their tireless efforts have allowed us to distribute almost 28 million pounds of food to member agencies, ensuring that families and individuals facing food insecurity have access to nutritious meals. From hand-picking pallets of food items to preparing nearly 220,000 heat-and-eat meals for drop-in centers and meal-delivery programs, our volunteers play an indispensable role in every aspect of our operations.
At our recent awards ceremony on April 17, we had the opportunity to honor and celebrate the remarkable contributions of some of our most dedicated volunteers. Four individuals were recognized for their remarkable ten years of service, while volunteer, Betty Anne, was honored for her outstanding fifteen years of commitment to our cause.
Additionally, we celebrated the extraordinary efforts of eighteen volunteers who donated over 300 hours of their time, ten volunteers who surpassed 400 hours, and twelve volunteers who went above and beyond by contributing over 500 hours each. One exceptional volunteer, Fren, was recognized for donating over 1,400 hours of service—a truly remarkable achievement that we are deeply grateful for.
The highlight of the event was an emotional keynote address delivered by volunteer and food bank client Sue-Ellen, who eloquently spoke about the profound impact of volunteerism in uplifting those in need within our community. “The unwavering support we clients receive from the volunteers here at Daily Bread is so important to those of us living in poverty,” she expressed. “Together, you have lifted me up. You have filled my belly, but more than that, you have given me a community where I am safe, respected and even appreciated.”
As we reflect on National Volunteer Week, we are reminded that every moment matters in the fight to end hunger and express our heartfelt appreciation to each and every volunteer who has contributed their time, energy and passion. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the over 13,000 individuals and families who rely on food banks in Toronto each month.
Click here to learn more about how you can volunteer with Daily Bread and support those facing food insecurity in our city.
