First celebrated in 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) has become a day of global activism belonging to those who are committed to forging women’s equality.
This year’s theme of “inspire inclusion” emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society and encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life.
This year, in honour of IWD, we want to invite you to get to know the women of the New Toronto Street Food Bank (NTSFB), Daily Bread’s on-site food bank.
In February, NTSFB saw over 16,700 client visits – and broke a record on Family Day weekend serving 1,000 clients in a single day. Nikki, Dorinda, Faith and Lais form part of the incredible team serving our food bank clients seven days a week. Managing this large volume is no easy feat, and a great dynamic and excellent communication are key for this team to work so well together.
Nikki, Programs Manager for NTSFB, is an empowering and thoughtful leader. She has created an open and positive environment that allows others to thrive. When asked about the qualities that stand out about her team members, she said: “Faith is a passionate connector who brings people together. Dorinda quietly ensures that everything is working for service and is committed to keeping things moving on track. Lais is innovative and isn’t afraid to tackle things head on or try something new.”
Lais, one of the team’s Food Bank Workers, says that they each strive to create an environment where clients feel both safe and supported, by leading with empathy and building connections with each person who walks through the doors. “We want to mimic the same experience for clients as they would encounter at the grocery store, to help maintain a sense of dignity,” she says. Faith, another Food Bank Worker echoes this sentiment, “I feel like we’re [the staff and volunteers] all on the same mission, and we’re able to work together as a strong team because we want to continue that goal.”
When you think about the phrase, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, and how it applies to the dynamic in the New Toronto Street Food Bank, it’s clear that each of these women make such special contributions. Their sense of teamwork and the way that they’re able to lean on each other, to be the strong leaders they are is a true testament to the environment that they want to create for others.
We are deeply grateful to these incredible leaders and honour them on International Women’s Day.
