Partnership will feed over 40,000 people over four months through private donor’s gift to City Street Outreach’s distribution and Paintbox Bistro’s humanitarian food programs.
(image caption: Person experiencing unstable housing asks for food outside restaurants in Toronto)
TORONTO, May 31. The hunger problem in Toronto continues to expand as stay at home orders remain in effect, and the impact on our most vulnerable populations has been dramatic. One in eight Canadians does not get enough to eat. City Street Outreach, an eleven year old Toronto-based charity that focuses on services for the most vulnerable in our population, today announced a six figure investment over several months from a private anonymous donor intended to address this current reality with a planned implementation of food programs. Over 500 meals have already gone out today, May 31, the program’s first day.
“This gift will fund tens of thousands of meals and other items supporting food stability like tents and sleeping bags,” said Alex Smirnis, cofounder of City Street Outreach. The organization is 100% volunteer run and has no overhead, and works directly with the street population weekly at Nathan Phillips Square while also provisioning food for low income families and apartment buildings.
“We’ve watched the need for food skyrocket over the past few months across our locations,” he added. “We could not be more grateful to this donor. It will give us resources we’ve never had and need badly.”
Jen Evans, who coordinated the donation and has been working on addressing food security in Toronto for the past three years, stated: “Stable funding like this for months is almost unheard of, so this really does change the landscape. It’s a very changeable time, so the flexible terms of this donation will be so helpful. Even a gift of this size is already being allocated very quickly. CSO will be observing how the population shifts as we cone out of stay at home and adjusting its response accordingly.”
“The focus is on delicious, nutritious meals that everyone would enjoy, such as Halal Chicken Enchiladas with Red Beans & Rice and Pico de Gallo, or Halal Tamarind Chicken Quarters, Herb-roasted Vegetables and Steamed Rice,” added Chef Chris Klugman of Paintbox Bistro.
The total investment is $200,000 in the first two months and $200,000 the second, with possible expansion as necessary. The first meals are being delivered to locations across Toronto today, May 31 and images will be available online @citystreetoutreach’s social accounts on Twitter and Instagram.
If you or your organization are looking for food support, please contact Jen Evans @nejsnave on Twitter or 4163463262 (text preferred) .
Highlights:
- Planned $400,000 investment from a private funder
- Response to unprecedented food insecurity in Toronto and thousands going hungry
- 11 year old charity City Street Outreach will be determining allocations
- Meals and logistics will be handled by Paintbox Bistro
- Starting May 31 with 2000 meals a week.
Media Contacts:
– Jen Evans 4163463262 Partner, Fakih Philanthropy
– Alex Smirnis 416 834 7736 City Street Outreach co-founder citystreetoutreach.org
– Chris Klugman 416 885 0687 Paintbox Bistro Humanitarian Services founder paintboxbistro.com
