Photo-op: Food Bank fires up Winter Food Drive with Toronto Fire Services

TORONTO, November 25, 2009 – Toronto Fire Services fire fighters will help kick-off the North York Harvest Winter Food Drive this Friday at a local fire hall. The drive marks the close of a very difficult year for food banks in northern Toronto which have seen requests for food assistance rise more than 22% over the last 12 months.

“Although the public has responded generously to the growing need, we have not been able to keep pace with the demand.” says Anette Chawla, Executive Director of the North York Harvest Food Bank. “And with current economic forecasts predicting a jobless recovery, we expect that food bank use will continue to rise into 2010.”

Over the years, Toronto Fire Services has provided ongoing support to North York Harvest’s seasonal food drives by hosting donation bins at local fire halls across northern Toronto. The food drive kick-off celebrates this long-standing relationship between the two organizations.

WHAT: Winter Food Drive Launch

WHO: Anette Chawla, North York Harvest Executive Director and Toronto Fire Services staff will be available for a photo opportunity and on-site interviews

WHEN: Friday, November 27, 2009 at 10am

WHERE: Fire hall 131
3135 Yonge Street
(Yonge St, north of Lawrence Ave)

About the Winter Food Drive

The Winter Food Drive runs from November 27, 2009 until January 4, 2010. Financial contributions can be made online at www.northyorkharvest.com or by phone with a credit card by calling 416-635-7771. Cheques can be mailed to: North York Harvest Food Bank, 640 Lawrence Ave West, Toronto, ON M6A 1B1.

Nutritious, non-perishable food items can be dropped off at local fire halls and participating supermarkets in northern Toronto. For a list of most needed items and drop-off locations, please visit our website.

About the North York Harvest Food Bank

The North York Harvest Food Bank is the primary food bank for northern Toronto. An independent, charitable organization, it distributes over one million pounds of food to 60 community food programs between Hwy 27, Steeles Ave, Victoria Park Ave, and St. Clair Ave/Eglinton Ave. To learn more about North York Harvest programs, visit www.northyorkharvest.com.

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For further information, contact:
Daniel Liadsky
Senior Manager, Community Engagement
416-635-7771 ext. 32
daniel [at] northyorkharvest [dot] com