Find answers to common questions about Daily Bread.
Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit organization that distributes fresh and shelf-stable food, as well as fresh-cooked meals, to over 200 food programs across Toronto (find a food bank). We also advocate to address the root causes of food insecurity and poverty, including affordable housing, decent wages, newcomer supports and higher social assistance rates.
Daily Bread Food Bank’s mission is to collaborate with all to eliminate food insecurity and advocate for solutions to end poverty. We operate on the principle that food is a human right, aiming to ensure everyone has access to the food they need.
Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 Toronto households (or 24.9%) according to latest estimates from the City of Toronto. This means that over 753,000 people in Toronto are struggling to meet their basic needs and access the food they require.
According to data from Who’s Hungry 2024, more than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks, up from 1 in 20 two years ago. In 2024, Daily Bread’s network saw over 3.75 million food bank visits — a 26% increase over the previous year and more than 4.5 times pre-pandemic numbers.
The rising cost of living, including skyrocketing food prices and rent, is a significant factor, with 57% of Toronto food bank clients citing it as their main reason for coming to food banks. After paying for rent and utilities, the median amount of money per person, per day that Toronto clients have for food and all other necessities is $7.78. To put that in perspective, the cost of a round trip on the TTC is $6.07, leaving clients with only $1.08 per day for other necessities (Who’s Hungry 2024).
By leveraging research and working closely with stakeholders across the sector, Daily Bread works to advance meaningful policy change and long-term solutions to end hunger in our city. We urge government action on affordable housing, increased social assistance rates, a living wage, and stronger food security programs to address the root causes of poverty and hunger. Learn more about our research and advocacy efforts.
Advocate for change: Send a letter to your local elected officials using our easy online tool to advocate for affordable housing, stronger income supports, and solutions to poverty and food insecurity.
Make a financial donation: Give what you’re able to and help Daily Bread Food Bank serve the unprecedented demand for food in our communities.
Volunteer your time: Daily Bread offers opportunities to volunteer in a number of roles at our headquarters in south Etobicoke, including order picking in our warehouse, food sorting, serving clients in our onsite food bank, kitchen food prep and administrative roles. Click here to learn more.
Host a food drive of fundraiser: Visit the Start a Food Drive or Fundraising Event page to download resources, including a toolkit with creative ideas and a print-ready list of most-needed items.
Our most needed items are nut butters (peanut, almond), oatmeal, canned fish, canned fruit, canned vegetables and canned tomatoes (whole, diced or crushed). Download the list
Are you a student looking to interview a Daily Bread staff member or volunteer for a school project?
Student Project Interview Request
