We may have had to once again forgo the annual CBC Open House, but that didn’t stop all the generous supporters of CBC Toronto‘s Sounds of the Season fundraiser from making the season extra kind by surpassing our goal of $1 million raised—for the second year in a row! Together, we collected over $1.02 million and over 63,000 lbs of food in support of food banks across the GTA.
In the spirit of safety, the month-long campaign kicked off at the crack of dawn on December 3rd, airing live on Metro Morning from both the Glenn Gould Studio with Special Host Jason D’Souza and on location at Daily Bread Food Bank. This special broadcast shone a light on the inspiring stories of resilience from food bank clients, frontline workers and volunteers, and featured dazzling musical performances from Nuela Charles, TOBi, Tyler Shaw and The Weather Station.
With several special days of programming throughout the month, plus CBC’s first-ever contactless Drive-Thru Food Drive at both the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Knights Table in Brampton, supporters had the opportunity to hear from members of the community experiencing food insecurity. We heard first-hand the accounts of individuals who were able to access the supports offered by food banks and persevere through difficult times—periods of struggle further exacerbated by the deepening chasm of inequality. From single parents currently using a food bank to individuals who sought a food bank for the first time due to COVID-19, these stories served as both a call to action and an important reminder that much work needs to be done to end food insecurity.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who shared their story. Your voices have helped—and continue to help—build solidarity among our communities, and ensure that individuals and families unable to meet basic needs are being advocated for. We would also like to thank the CBC for amplifying these crucial voices, and for raising both awareness and much-needed funds.
At Daily Bread, we remain steadfast in our belief that food is a human right. On behalf of our member agencies and the thousands of individuals served through our programs, THANK YOU to everyone involved in making Sounds of the Season 2021 such a success. With your support, we hope to continue making an impact on as many Torontonians as possible, so that no one has to face barriers in accessing food.
