Daily Bread Food Bank Announces Pilot To Deliver 2,000 Meals Monthly To Individuals Unable To Access Food Banks
This pilot project in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross will form the blueprint for expanded service in the city and provide low-barrier, respectful service to those in need.
TORONTO, March 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Food is a human right. No one should go hungry or face barriers in accessing the food they need, yet 1 in 5 adults in Toronto are food insecure, many of them living with intersecting challenges that prevent them from accessing food banks and often have barriers to preparing food at home.
In partnership, Daily Bread Food Bank and the Canadian Red Cross have launched a pilot project to deliver healthy, home-made meals to individuals who have been medically assessed and determined not to be able to access traditional food programs.
"Thousands of individuals experiencing hunger are not able to access food banks," says Charles Jergl, VP, Programs and Services, Daily Bread Food Bank. "In addition, intersecting factors such as mobility and mental health issues, age, and housing that lacks appropriate cooking facilities can make preparing a meal a challenge."
Using Daily Bread's food production resources, staff and volunteers will prepare and package healthy, single-serve, frozen meals that will then be delivered by the Canadian Red Cross to their client-base at no cost.
"Food bank clients have a median of $7.83 per day left after paying rent to cover food and all other necessities. With a price tag of $7.00 per meal or higher, delivery programs such as Meals-on-Wheels are simply out of reach for many," says Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank. "Through this partnership, we are able to provide this vital service free of charge to those who need it to survive."
"This unique partnership in the Greater Toronto Area allows us to enhance our services to some of the most vulnerable populations in our city," says Nikola Latinovic, Senior Manager, Canadian Red Cross. "It's an exciting opportunity to learn more about our client base and identify how we can positively impact their lives on a daily basis."
The six-month pilot project will see 2,000 meals delivered per month in the Toronto area, and will form the blueprint for expanded service in the city of Toronto.
About Daily Bread Food Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank works towards long-term solutions to end hunger and runs innovative programs to support individuals living on low income and experiencing food insecurity. Daily Bread distributes fresh and shelf-stable food, and fresh-cooked meals to 130 member agencies and 170 food programs across Toronto. In addition, Daily Bread publishes the influential Who's Hungry report - an annual survey measuring trends in food insecurity and poverty in Toronto to educate the public and spark policy change.
About Canadian Red Cross
Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ? which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 190 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies ? the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and throughout the world.
SOURCE Daily Bread Food Bank
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