Volunteer with a Good Food Box given at cost to those facing food insecurity.
Food insecurity in the Stonegate area has reached crisis proportions and a local food bank say users have risen by more than 300 per cent since the pandemic.
The food bank at Christ Church St. James church, at 194 Park Lawn Road, is reporting that attendance there is up by 300 per cent and is reaching out for help to feed people.
“The Stonegate Community Health Centre is actively working to reduce barriers to accessing healthy food,” said the centre’s Executive Director Charis Romilly Turner. “We are working closely with community partners … and running programs that build nutrition literacy, reduce social isolation and increasing access to food.”
Some of the fresh fruit and veggies contained in the Good Food Box.
Stonegate runs a weekly year-round Good Food Market where boxes of food are given at cost to local individuals and families dealing with food insecurity and hunger during the holidays.
They also provide fresh produce year round for those who are struggling to put healthy food on their table.
The organization has given out more than 3,500 boxes since the annual program began in 2010.
The program ensures that those on fixed incomes have access to fresh fruit and vegetables at cost.
They also operate a ‘prescription food’ program prescribing a Good Food Market credit to food-insecure clients with pre-existing health conditions to obtain fresh produce.
The organization is seeking donations of $25 or more each to provide a local family with a large box of fresh produce.
The Good Food Box is a non-profit fresh fruit and vegetable distribution system operated by FoodShare Toronto. All the top-quality food comes from local farmers and the Ontario Food Terminal.
They said $50 provides Good Food Boxes to two families, $100 for four families, $250 will provide boxes for 10 families and $500 for 20 families in need.
The organization said 100 per cent of the donations goes towards fresh healthy food for those in need.
To make a donation you can visit their website at www.stonegatechc.org or contact Julia Graham, the Community Programs and Engagement Coordinator, at 416-231-7070 ext. 229.
Charitable tax receipts are available for every donation over $10. Thank you for your support this holiday season.