Over recent months we’ve all seen increased instability within our communities. With fewer services available and many losing stable employment, YSM saw an influx of neighbours seeking healthy food to sustain themselves and their families.

Pre-COVID, YSM’s Food Bank served about 600 people a week, but from March through August we started providing food to more than 2,000 people each week – an increase of more than 200%. With the dramatically greater demand came elevated costs, ones far higher than budgeted for the year.

Understanding the situation and importance of YSM’s Food Bank, Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam called on her network of corporate contacts to launch the #YSMRelay.

Taking the lead, Capital Developments pledged the first leg of the relay then passed the virtual baton to their peers asking each to keep the relay going with additional gifts, ranging from $5,000 up to enough to support YSM’s expanded Food Bank for an entire week. To date, 18 corporations have participated by raising almost $350,000 and inviting other organizations to do likewise.

Our Food Bank continues to operate at a higher volume to ensure our community members have access to needed healthy food. The relay is not over . . . we look forward to welcoming more donors to the #YSMRelay to help neighbours during this time of challenge.

To join the relay contact Heather Sinclair at hsinclair@ysm.ca or 416 929 9614 x4249.