Fundraising update for October 27, 2020: Once again, thank you to our generous community members who have contributed to Daily Bread Food Bank through the fall fundraising campaign. The Gratitude Project, PARA’s second initiative this year, raised $4,186.
In the spring we raised over $9,000 for Daily Bread Food Bank, a non-denominational charity that every day distributes fresh and shelf-stable food to 135 social service agencies in Toronto including several in our own neighbourhood. As of September, Daily Bread Food Bank has seen a 200% increase in new clients since the start of the pandemic. Seventy-six percent of the new clients surveyed began accessing food banks due to Covid-19 and its economic fall out. As the second wave of the pandemic hit our city, our goal was to raise another $4,000 by October 27.
A group of local residents matched PARA donations dollar for dollar up to the first $2,000 giving donations double the impact: A donation of $20 provided 40 meals.
PARA’s Daily Bread Food Bank Spring Fundraiser Raises Over $9,000!
We are grateful for our community. Thanks to neighbours who run errands and deliver groceries, to those who sew masks and help out at the schools and playgrounds, to enthusiasts who play and plant in Healey Willan Park, to volunteers who work on PARA’s committees, to local residents who make gardens and paint murals for everyone’s enjoyment, and to you for contributing to this on-line fundraiser.
PARA raised $1,535 during its first fundraiser for Daily Bread Food Bank earlier this month, and launched a community-wide appeal on April 20th, which raised an additional $7,800. By April 30th, The Gratitude Project had raised a total of $9,335!!
May Update: The Harbord Village Residents’ Association took up PARA’s challenge and raised $16,000 for the Scott Mission and Fort York Food Bank. The campaign surpassed their expectations in terms of what was possible with this simple ask – that we come together to support these two amazing organizations on the front lines helping neighbours struggling with food insecurity and homelessness – during this challenging time. Well done, HVRA!
The ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our city in unprecedented ways, but we are Stronger Together. Thank you to everyone who clicked on our Facebook posting, or linked through to The Gratitude Project from the PARA eblast.