Food Drive Community Challenge

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Oct. 3, 2022 — Dec. 16, 2022

About the Program

Neighbourhood Network’s Food Drive program supports local food banks between the holiday seasons. Each year, hundreds of pounds of food and thousands of dollars are raised to help feed our communities.

Our community food banks need your help.  We are challenging you to buy some urgently needed items and donate them to a food bank in your town! Due to the continued urgent need from our local food banks, we will continue running this program/volunteer opportunity throughout the winter season.

Community Involvement Hours for High School Students – High School students looking for Community Involvement Hours can participate in this program!

How to donate and collect your hours:

  1. Look at your local food pantry’s urgently needed item list.
  2. Go to the grocery store and purchase some of these items. Every item and dollar donated helps!
  3. Take pictures of you shopping or dropping off items.
  4. Keep your receipt – and send it to us if possible.
  5. Follow the specific drop-off directions listed. Each location is different!
  6. Fill out your community involvement sheet and have it verified by a guardian.
  7. Email your photo(s), shopping receipt, and Community Involvement form to Lisbeth at [email protected].
  8. Challenge your friends to do the same!

NOTE: Include in your email whether we have your permission to share your photos on our social media pages.

Urgently Needed Items:

  1. AURORA FOOD PANTRY

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Non-Perishable Items 
    • Almond and Soy milk
    • Canned fruit and vegetables
    • Canned tomatoes
    • Cereal (hot)
    • Condiments
    • Juice boxes (large and small)
    • Peanut-free snacks (i.e. Digestive cookies)
    • Rice (small 750g bags)
    • Size 4-6 diapers
    • Toilet paper
    • Toothpaste
    • Pet food
    • Hygiene products
    • No Peanut Butter or Dry Pasta – the Aurora Food Pantry is currently overstocked on these items

    Donation Drop-Off Details:

    Location: 350 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON- Use the rear parking lot and the back entrance of the building.  The facility is wheelchair accessible.

    • Tuesday’s: 8:00am-3:00pm
    • Wednesday’s: 10:00am-2:00pm
    • Thursday’s: 1:00pm-8:00pm
    • Saturday’s: 8:00am-12:00pm

    *Closed on Sunday, Monday, and Friday.  You can drop off donations anytime at a local fire station or grocery store.

    905-841-1577

    http://www.aurorafoodpantry.ca/

  2. EAST GWILLIMBURY PUBLIC LIBRARY - FOOD PANTRY

    If you wish to support the Food Pantry, here is how you can donate:

    • Make a monetary donation online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/6444 (in the message field, write “Food Pantry”)
    • Make a monetary donation in person at the Library. Please note all monetary donations by cheque should be made out to “East Gwillimbury Public Library”. You will be asked to fill out a donation form which will include a notes field for you to include ‘Food Pantry’.
    • Purchase a pre-selected bag of food at Vince’s Market in Sharon or The Neighbourhood Market in Holland Landing and leave it with the cashier.
    • Drop off non-perishable food items at the Holland Landing Health Centre –hours are included below.

    East Gwillimbury Public Library is hosting a Food Pantry for families and individuals in need. Information on employment supports, housing assistance, and other community services will be available.

    The EG Food Pantry is open once a month on the last Saturday of the month from 10 am – 2 pm at the Holland Landing Community Centre. All food item donations to the Pantry will be accepted at the following addresses:

    Holland Landing Health Centre
    19415 Yonge Street, Holland Landing,
    Mon: 10am – 7pm
    Tue: 9am – 8pm
    Wed: 9am – 8pm
    Thu: 9am – 8pm
    Fri: 9am – 7pm
    Sat: 9am – 2pm
    Sun: CLOSED

    Vince’s Market – Sharon for Purchasing Pre-Filled Food Bags
    19101 Leslie Street, Sharon
    Sharon, ON, L0G 1V0
    Monday – Friday, 8am – 9pm
    Saturday, 8am – 8pm
    Sunday, 8am – 7pm

    The Food Pantry is open on the last Saturday of the month unless stated otherwise.  Pre-registration is not mandatory but appreciated.

    For more info go to  https://www.egpl.ca/services/egpl-food-pantry/

  3. FOOD CLOSET AND CLOTHING DEPOT IN SHARON

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Cereal (Dry and Oatmeal)
    • Spaghetti Sauces
    • Rice
    • Kid Snacks: Juice boxes, Apple Sauce, Cup of Fruit (kids lunch items)
    • Peanut butter
    • Canned fruit & canned vegetables
    • Tuna
    • Granola bars

    Drop Off Details:

    Location:  18794 Leslie Street, Sharon

    • Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM – 12 noon.
    • Ring the doorbell at the side entrance of the little white house (office) facing the parking lot which is beside the church (north parking lot).  Donations can be left in the donation box beside the house.
    • Call Janice at 905-960-8112 for more information.
  4. GEORGINA COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Fresh fruits and vegetables
    • Cereals (<15g of sugar per serving)
    • Rice – brown, basmati, etc.
    • Canned fish
    • Peanut butter
    • Canned vegetables

    Drop Off Details:

    To make a food donation, please call ahead to schedule a time, 905-596-0557.

    Looking to help? Consider making a financial donation at the “Donate Now” https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/7609/donation?showMS=1

    If you are wishing to make a food donation, please do so at the participating local grocery stores including Zehrs, Food Basics, FreshCo., Sobeys Sutton and No Frills.

    https://georginafoodpantry.com/home

  5. KING TOWNSHIP FOOD BANK

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Food can be dropped off at:
      • Nobleton, King City and Schomberg Libraries
      • John’s No Frills in Nobleton
      • Schomberg’s Foodland
      • King City Fire Hall
      • Coppa’s King City
      • Many Churches throughout the Township

      Items currently needed

      • Peanut butter
      • Tinned peas
      • Carrots
      • Green beans
      • Tinned tuna (not single portion)
      • Tinned fruit
      • Juices (large cans, tetra paks)
      • Broth
      • Tinned mixed beans
      • Coffee (instant or ground)
      • Black tea

      PLEASE NOTE:

      • No glass containers, please. They are a safety issue for the handlers, in addition to being messy if dropped.
      • Please, no dried pasta. The Food Bank has an amazing surplus of pasta of all shapes and sizes.
      • The King Township Food Back requests that only foods that have not passed their best before date be donated.  Our policy is to offer food that any shopper would purchase from the grocery store.

    http://www.kingtownshipfoodbank.ca/

    The King Township Food Bank offers PC cards (for No Frills) and Foodland cards (for Schomberg Foodland) as these are stores in King closest to most registrants.  Of course, these cards can be used at any store in the two chains.

    You can purchase a food card from the display at cash Schomberg Foodland: once loaded, the store puts them in the safe for monthly pick up.

    If you wish to purchase a food card at No Frills, choose the denomination you prefer and after having it loaded, you can ask the cashier to give it to Nadia for KTFB

  6. MOUNT ALBERT FOOD PANTRY

    This Community Food Pantry operates on the last Wednesday of every month, from 3-6 PM, and serves clients in the Mount Albert area.

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Canned vegetables (no corn), canned fruit, canned stews, canned meat (no tuna), chunky soups
    • Kraft Dinner
    • Sidekicks
    • Cereal
    • Peanut butter
    • Crackers
    • Kid snacks for school lunches: granola bars, juice boxes, bear paws, apple sauce

    Drop Off Details:

    Location:  The Pantry is located in the basement of the Mount Albert United Church- 41 Alice St., Mount Albert, ON, L0G 1M0.

    If you wish to donate to the Food Pantry, please mail a monetary donation to the address cited above.  Tax receipts will be provided.  If you wish to donate food or other items, please call 905-473-2562 first to arrange a delivery time.

  7. NEWMARKET FOOD PANTRY

    Urgently Needed Items:

    • Peanut butter
    • Jam
    • Canned stew and chili
    • Canned soup
    • Canned fruits and vegetables
    • Nutritious school snacks
    • Granola bars
    • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper)
    • Baby food, formula, diapers
    • Cat & dog food

    This list changes throughout the year depending on demand. If you are hosting a food, please contact the food pantry to see what they need most.

    Drop Off Details:

    Location: 1251 Gorham Street, Newmarket, ON

    • Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 2:00pm

    *Donations can be dropped off the back of the building at doors 7 &8. Aternative drop off location: Newmarket Firehalls

    (905) 895-6823

    https://newmarketfoodpantry.ca/

  8. THE FOOD BANK OF YORK REGION

    The Food Bank of York Region is accepting donations at all Walmart’s and select Food Basics/Metro across York Region.

    For more information, visit fbyr.ca/.

    Click on the link to make a direct donation https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/9421?v1=true

    Tel: 437-317-3710

     

  9. WHITCHURCH STOUFFVILLE FOOD BANK

    Help the Whitchurch Stouffville Food Bank help others.

    They are asking for financial and gift card donations, instead of cans and non-perishable foods.

    The most critical contributions to the food bank are financial donations. Help their team purchase fresh ingredients to provide nutritious options for clients of all ages and dietary needs, to continue operations.

    Donating online is fast and easy. Visit wsfoodbank.ca/donate. You will still receive the same tax receipt for personal donations.

    Is your group considering a Food Drive? This year consider a toonie drive, gift card drive or challenge your members to a virtual fund drive.

    Note – IN-STORE purchased food donations from local vendors with WSFB bins  (Metro and No Frills) are still accepted.

  10. YORK REGION FOOD NETWORK

    York Region Food Network is a community organization that offers services and programs to support food security. They also educate and advocate for actions to reduce food insecurities.

    To make a donation visit www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/15910/donation?showMS=1

Note: Please do NOT donate anything that is expired. Expired items have to be sorted and disposed of which is costs the pantries money.