At Christmas, when many Torontonians are welcoming the season of giving and gathering with cheerful decorations and seasonal treats, 3.49 million people are visiting Toronto food banks with anxiety and uncertainty. Thousands of GTA families are struggling to provide the basics of food, shelter, and warm clothing for their families, making extras like toys and special treats completely out of reach.
The need across the city is real and widespread. Surviving day to day is already a tremendous struggle for families like Luz and Lester’s. They fell on hard times, after a car accident left Luz with spinal cord injury – confining her to a wheelchair, unable to work. Luz and Lester visit the Mission and appreciate help for the family’s tight budget saying, “It’s such a huge relief to receive food, diapers, and clothing and to have some peace of mind.”
Cynthia Laton, Manager of Intake Advocacy at Scott Mission explains, “It’s incredibly hard for families, in the city, to pay their rent and feed their families on one income, especially after a health setback or a job loss. We see people every day who after paying their rent, cannot afford to buy food and other necessities.”
And it’s even harder, during the holidays, when other Canadians are preparing special meals and buying gifts for their children. But we are here, with a program to help over 3,100 families at Christmas with coats, boots, special groceries, and a gift card so they can prepare a culturally specific holiday meal of their choosing.
And thanks to kind and generous donors, hundreds of toys will stock our toy room so parents can shop with joy and dignity to select age-appropriate toys, games, books, and other items for 1,100 boys and girls who might not otherwise receive a Christmas gift.
With a big smile Luz shared, “Last year was our first year to experience Christmas at Scott Mission, and they gave the gift of joy to us and our children. It means a lot to see the happiness in our kid’s eyes. Even our 12-year-old was overwhelmed with gratitude.”
With the grocery gift card, their son said that he hopes they can afford the Greek yogurt he loves, while his mom said gratefully, “I’m just so thankful for the donors. I want them to know they’re not just feeding us with food…they’re feeding our hearts as well.”
This Christmas, Luz and Lester will be among the thousands of families who will not feel forgotten. And it’s thanks to caring donors like YOU who are investing to help. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, Scott Mission will provide as many as 64,000 meals, and 7,500 bags of groceries.
Because of YOU, on Christmas day, hundreds of our neighbours in need will receive a Christmas dinner as a reflection of God’s love and a reminder that they are not alone.
Thank you for sharing God’s love at Christmas and every day of the year. Together, we are restoring the lives of our neighbours in need across the GTA.
