Church Contributes $2 Million to Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank

With one in 10 Torontonians now relying on food banks, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated $2 million (US$1.45 million) to Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank (DBFB). CEO Neil Hetherington made the announcement on July 29, 2024, at an event hosted by the DBFB.

Federal, provincial and municipal politicians; DBFB volunteers and staff; national media; and local Church leaders attended the event. DBFB thanked the Church for partnering with them in the fight against hunger and reminded attendees that the Church’s generosity will help ensure everyone in Toronto can access nutritious, culturally appropriate food.

Hetherington said, “Two million dollars — that means some two million meals out to the community. That means we can purchase two new trucks that will allow us to make sure that every Torontonian can have access to decent, wonderful food.”

Elder David LaFrance, Area Seventy for the North America Northeast Area, Toronto co-ordinating council, speaking on behalf of the Church, stated, “We understand the importance of following Christ’s example to help others in need in our community. This donation to the Daily Bread Food Bank is part of our greater efforts to give and help in the areas in which we live. Our motivation is out of service to others and to help those in need, and really follow our Christian convictions to do so. We really are grateful for the wonderful work that’s done here at Daily Bread.”

Game Changer, Life Changer

This donation comes when Toronto food bank visits have climbed to alarming new heights. DBFB now sees up to 350,000 client visits per month compared to about 65,000 monthly pre-pandemic visits. To keep pace, their annual food spending has climbed from $1.5 million (US$1.08 million) a year to over $22 million (US$15.9 million). On some weekends, the line for food will extend onto New Toronto Street, and the food bank will serve about 1,000 families in a few hours.

“It’s going to be a game changer; it’s going to be a life changer,” said MP James Maloney, Etobicoke–Lakeshore. He spoke at the event alongside Etobicoke–Lakeshore MPP Christine Hogarth and Deputy Mayor Amber Morley, who represent all three levels of government. Maloney continued, “On behalf of everybody here and everybody who unfortunately needs the services of the Daily Bread Food Bank, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Donation in Action

Rich Ternieden, the Church’s Toronto area communication director, said he was “glad to see the potential impact of the donation firsthand.” As part of the event, Church representatives witnessed how the donation would be implemented as they sorted nearly 1,000 pounds of food onsite and made food deliveries with DBFB trucks.

Other Church leaders attending the event included Stephen Harvey, Eastern Canada welfare and self-reliance manager; Greg Willmott, member of the Brampton Ontario Stake presidency; Mike Quatrale, Etobicoke Ward bishop; Julie Nelson, Toronto Ontario Stake communication director; and Paula Schulzke, Brampton Ontario Stake JustServe co-ordinator.

Daily Bread Food Bank

Founded in the early 1980s, DBFB is Canada’s largest food bank. In addition to serving its clientele from its 108,000-square-foot facility in Etobicoke, Ontario, DBFB distributes food to networks of over 200 food agency programs — including smaller food banks, meal programs, soup kitchens and shelters — across the Greater Toronto Area.

DBFB offers not only typical food bank offerings but also volunteers to help clients navigate the social program network for dental, immigration, housing and legal services. It also has a commercial kitchen, which prepares 5,000 community meals each week for drop-in shelters and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Read more about the donation:

GTA food bank gets $2M from U.S.-based church

This $2 million donation is ‘a game-changer’

Read the story in French