Combating Food Insecurity

This holiday season, Sobeys is continuing its partnership with Daily Bread, a Toronto food bank that’s been active since 1983. Serving almost 200 food programs throughout the city with its trucks, Daily Bread helps to combat food insecurity by generating donations and awareness for those in need. As the organization explains “Four million Canadians face food insecurity each year; in 2018 alone, Daily Bread received over 900,000+ requests for service.”

To find out more about the initiative, and how consumers can take part, Trend Hunter spoke with Sobeys and Daily Bread’s Ruth Gebremedhin.

How long will consumers have the opportunity to donate to Daily Bread through Sobeys?

This holiday season, Sobeys shoppers at select stores across the GTA have an opportunity to support Daily Bread through pre-packaged food hampers available in-store until Monday, December 31st, 2018.

Shoppers can donate at a number of Sobeys locations in the GTA, including those located at: Danforth, Dupont, Mount Pleasant, Spadina, St. Clair, Todmordon, Younge and Balliol, and the Queensway.

What does Sobeys include in its pre-packaged bags that consumers can purchase for donation?

Food Bank Donation Bags from Sobeys have been outfitted at the $5, $10 and $15 dollar levels for shoppers to donate until the end of the month, and beyond. The bags contain various non-perishable Compliments products from Sobeys, such as pancake mix, syrup, mac and cheese, canned veggies, beans, and sauces, among other dry goods.

Will Sobeys maintain its partnership with Daily Bread in the New Year?

Sobeys is committed to helping Canadians realize ‘What Food Can Do’ and delivering nourishing food across the country to help our neighbors in need. In partnership with food banks such as Daily Bread, we wholeheartedly believe that food should be accessible to all Canadians no matter the season, and we want to help make that belief a reality.

Customers can purchase pre-packaged Food Bank Donation Bags year-round. They can find them on the ends of tills, or can ask to purchase them at Customer Service. We always have bags ready for donation. Our stores work with our food bank partners year-round for regular collection of the donated food items to ensure the food is getting to those who need it most.

How does Daily Bread distribute its donations to those facing food insecurity?

Daily Bread distributes its donations throughout the various programs it runs or is partnered with, including shelters, breakfast programs, meal programs and other food banks throughout the GTA.

Apart from donating through Sobeys over the holidays, what other ways can consumers help to fight food insecurity?

There are many ways people can help fight food insecurity year round, including food or cash donations to your local food bank, as well as volunteering in your community. In fact, volunteers help keep food banks like Daily Bread running. Moreover, organizing or participating in a local food drive or fundraiser throughout the year also goes a long way.