Nicola*, a 36 year old woman from Greece, lost her job but embarrassed to tell her family and friends, she pretended to go to work every day. She had no one to talk to and for the first time in her life, had to go to a food bank. Through St. Monica’s Anglican Church, one of approximately 250 programs that Second Harvest serves, Nicola received enough healthy food to last over a week. Armed with the strength, energy and support to look for employment, Nicola landed a job and one week later, was back on her feet.

* not her real name

A young woman who was sent from northern Canada to Toronto for cancer treatment had to find accommodation and pay her own expenses. Her only source of income was Ontario Works. Her daily chemotherapy and radiation therapy left her ill and exhausted. She knew that she would be in Toronto for at least three months and had no idea how she would cope.

She contacted community information and was given the name and address of St. James Food Basket, one of our recipient programs. They were able to provide her with healthy food from Second Harvest, Boost and diapers, as well as a connection with the Cancer Society for transportation to Princess Margaret Hospital. She says that she couldn't have coped without this help.

"Every day Second Harvest makes a difference in the lives of our clients," says an employee of Breaking the Cycle (Mothercraft). "The children, moms and moms-to-be at our centre enjoy and appreciate the nutritious food that Second Harvest provides. Here is just one example of how Second Harvest has made a difference in the lives of our clients:

"When our Food Program Manager asked a young boy if he would like to have some milk with his lunch, he looked to his mother and asked for permission. His mother went on to explain that he loves milk but because they cannot afford much milk at home, he cannot always have it. When his mother told him that he could drink milk any time at our centre, this young growing boy lit up with excitement and a huge smile came across his face. At a later visit that same mother said that her son loves to come to our centre because he can have all the milk he needs.

"Thank you Second Harvest for providing the foundation of our Food Supplementation Program, as well as our Community Kitchen Program."

Since 1913, Evangel Hall Mission has been a warm and safe place for the distressed people of Toronto's inner city. The mission provides hot meals, counselling, referrals and much more for 150 people a day.

The winter months are especially busy for the staff and volunteers at Evangel Hall. This is why Second Harvest has been providing them with turkeys from its Turkey Drive for the past six years.

"The turkeys will be used to provide a party and a traditional Christmas meal.for the residents," says Joseph Taylor, Executive Director. "Many of these people live alone and they would be unable to provide for themselves, so it really helps us to maintain the sense of Christmas within the building. Thank you Second Harvest - very much."

PEACH (Promoting Economic Action and Community Health) is a grassroots education-focused agency in the Jane & Finch community. Managing Director Marilyn Eisenstat describes how Second Harvest is helping her organization:

"We work with youth who are not registered in school (due to suspensions, expulsions, behavioural issues, or safe school transfers) and are pursuing their school credits outside of the school setting. Each day, students work on their school credits, engage in life skills discussions and enjoy breakfast, lunch and a snack with their classmates. Through relationships and education, PEACH attempts to replace discouragement with opportunity.

"Our relationship with Second Harvest has not only given us the opportunity to feed hungry youth with healthy food, but it has also allowed us to enrich the learning at PEACH. We can now offer grade 9 & 10 students a Food and Nutrition credit. Students engage in discussions, prepare recipes and complete projects about food and food hygiene.

"The students set the table, sit down to a meal and have a conversation about the food. They are then sent home with the food that is needed for their families.

"The introduction of Second Harvest into our program has allowed PEACH to be a better resourced 'school away from school' and 'home away from home' for our students."

Metropolitan United Church, located in the commercial heart of Toronto, has a long history of worship and service that began in 1818. Today, Metropolitan serves its community by offering a variety of outreach services and programs. Amongst them is the Community Services Program where the church offers guests the most basic human needs: food, clothing, a place of respite from the elements, and sometimes the need to be heard.

One of these people is a young man named Mark, a full-time student at George Brown College, struggling to educate himself and pull himself out of poverty. Mark lives on the $548 per month he receives from Ontario Works. After paying his rent, heating and school expenses, he doesn't have much money left for food. Mark started to attend Metropolitan's Drop-In program, where three times a week he receives a hot lunch before he heads back to class. The fresh food donations from Second Harvest have benefited him greatly.

Here are just a few examples of how your lunch money is helping those in need...

Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre:
For several years, I have been involved with the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre. If it was not for Second Harvest and P.A.R.C. working together hand-in-hand, myself and many others would go without breakfast and lunch. To all the staff and volunteers - please keep up the great work! People like you are very hard to find.

St. Stephen's Community House:
A lot of the youth that come to St. Stephen's Community House every day have not eaten breakfast or lunch and look forward to getting a wholesome meal here. Many of the young women in particular go without eating all day, so having this food is a great source of nourishment. Second Harvest's help is much appreciated.

Morse St. Public School:
Some children attend school without having breakfast. Your donations are greatly appreciated in fostering a healthy atmosphere for learning.