Earlier this week, our production hall was charged with a different kind of energy: competition! Five teams of fast-moving volunteers — uniformed in matching T-shirts of red, orange, green, black or gray — sorted an incredible 21,065 pounds of food donations in about two hours’ time. That means they processed over five tons of food per hour.
This was the famous Trucks for Change Food Sort Challenge, when teams from the nonprofit association of trucking companies face off to see who can sort the most cans, pasta, oatmeal and other non-perishable goods so that they’re ready to be shipped off to our member agencies across the city.
“I will say it can get very competitive,” said Scott Smith, the group’s board chair, eliciting some pre-event giggles from the crowd. “But I think you’ll all have a lot of fun, and I thank you very much for coming out and supporting Trucks for Change and Daily Bread Food Bank.”
Trucks for Change Network has been partnering with us for over a decade, generating funds for an incredible 136,000 meals. Giving back is at the heart of the organization. The network connects charities with carriers who have surplus space and can transport donated goods at a free or reduced cost. As the country’s food insecurity rates have risen, Trucks for Change carriers have been transporting more and more donated food to put it in the hands of people across Canada facing hunger.
We know this increase all too well. Before the pandemic, we saw about 65,000 client visits to Toronto food banks every month. Now we’re seeing up to 350,000. “The numbers are horrific … People you might see at the bus stop or actually work next to in our cubicles are turning to us for support for the first time,” said Samantha Cooke, VP of Development at Daily Bread Food Bank. “We need each other more than ever, so thank you for being here.”
While the event’s purpose was somber, the event itself was not. Each team — with fun names like House of Carbs and Game of Scones — vied for two special awards as well as the top of the food-sorting podium. The Seasoned Pros (whose mascot was a salt shaker) won the Heart and Hustle award, for “the most spirited sorters,” and the Teamwork Triumph award went to team Dill With It, aptly dressed in green.
The Spicy Strategists earned gold this year, sorting an impressive 5,547 pounds — that’s almost a thousand pounds more than the second-place team. They took home medals adorned with little figurines of bananas and milk cartons to commemorate the event.
We are so grateful for our partnership with Trucks for Change Network, and for all of your support in the fight to end hunger. We can’t wait to see who gets to the top of the podium next year!
Check out our Facebook album to see more photos of this event, or visit our Group Volunteering page to find out more about how your group can volunteer at Daily Bread for team-building events.
