Toronto charities prepare for busy Thanksgiving amid soaring demand

As many Torontonians continue to struggle with a high cost of living, charities across the city are preparing for a busy Thanksgiving, as one major food bank says its demand has skyrocketed in recent years. 

During Thanksgiving in 2020, the Daily Bread Food Bank was seeing 50,000 client visits per month, said CEO Neil Hetherington. Now, he said the food bank is seeing 350,000 clients per month.

Hetherington said Thanksgiving is a time for reflection — reflection he hopes can lead to action that might help reduce the level of food bank use Daily Bread is seeing. 

"We wonder, you know, why is it that in such a rich, vibrant and successful city and country that we live in, that there should be people who can't make ends meet?"

On Saturday at Daily Bread, about 200 volunteers will help sort and pack food donations for the day, including Mayor Olivia Chow and Premier Doug Ford. 

Daily Bread isn't the only organization bringing in extra hands for the weekend. Scott Mission, a downtown Toronto charity that supports people who are vulnerable and experiencing homelessness, is doing the same. Christy Morrow, the charity's chief development officer, said Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year. 

People looking for community, says one charity

"A lot of our guests come in because they're looking for community as well as a great meal," said Morrow.

In addition to the food, those who visit Scott Mission get a gift. Morrow said that's usually a practical item, like good socks to help with the coming cold weather. The meal is a classic Thanksgiving feast, with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. 

"And then of course pumpkin pie, because a meal is not complete on Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie," she said.

Morrow said Scott Mission has seen increasing demand in the past few years as the cost of living in Canada rises. She said the costs are hitting seniors especially, who are often trying to get by on a fixed income.

While inflation has slowed in recent months, experts say consumers may not be feeling relief when shopping because prices are still elevated.

For Scott Mission, inflation isn't just hitting the charity's clients, but also those who keep its services going.

"We have donors who have called in, who have been giving for 30 years, but are now at the point where they are no longer able to make those monthly gifts," she said.

'There are neighbours that care'

In Willowdale, the local charity NeighbourLink North York handed out meals to more than 140 families on Friday. The charity distributes food once a month but twice in October for the holiday, targeted towards clients in Toronto community housing.

"One of the problems that we're trying to overcome is that folks in the neighborhood might not know that there are neighbours that are actually struggling," said Sebastian Biasucci, the charity's marketing and event manager. "NeighbourLink North York is a network of neighbours helping neighbours. So it's all hyper local."

On Monday, the charity's volunteers will be at Willowdale Seventh-day Adventist Church preparing meals for those who can't cook for themselves, like seniors and those with chronic illnesses. 

"We are able to ensure that families who might not be able to [enjoy Thanksgiving] can now do that because there are neighbours that care about them," he said. 

While NeighbourLink has already distributed food for this year's holiday, the charity still needs help. Without sustainable funding, the organization relies on community members to keep it going through donations.

"Every dollar raised goes back into the community," Biasucci said.