Residents of the Mabelle Avenue community are being credited for banding together to help feed and look after their vulnerable neighbours as COVID-19 rages on.

Food security had become a critical issue for residents of the Central Etobicoke area, according to MABELLEarts, an award-winning community arts organization that works closely with residents.

MABELLEarts created a MABELLE Pantry last July, which began as a COVID-19 emergency response grocery delivery service to help 10 vulnerable households on Mabelle Avenue.

The Pantry has grown to serve almost 400 households on Mabelle Avenue, which is a high-density block of apartments in the Islington and Dundas Sts. W. area, where there is limited access to fresh food and nearby supermarkets.

MABELLEarts prior to COVID-19 worked with more than 100 professional artists and 4,000 community members of all ages and backgrounds to create performances, workshops and events that unlock the creative potential of neglected public spaces.

The virus forced them to use their artistic connections to obtain food to help feed those in need in their community.

“Our first step was to listen to the most vulnerable members of the community and learn what they were struggling with,” said Leah Houston, artistic director of MABELLEarts. “We didn’t have a strategy for what would happen in the phone calls.”

The group conducted a wellness check at the start of the pandemic and found residents were in need of food since the local food bank had shut down due to the virus.

Local residents facing food insecurity are able to access free groceries and fresh local produce at the MABELLE Pantry. They are welcomed by friendly and responsible Safety Monitors who ensure the pantry experience stays COVID-safe while offering a stress-free experience to participants.

“The evolution of the Mabelle Pantry is a testament to Mabelle Avenue’s resilience during COVID-19,’ according to MABELLEarts information. “Connections forged through artistic collaboration empowered our community to mobilize.”

The Mabelle Avenue community is home to more than 4,000 residents, many who are low-income, who live in a less-than-a-kilometre block of high density apartment buildings.

Pantry volunteers now make three deliveries weekly to about 80 households in their area. They have made more than 3,000 food deliveries so far.

They are receiving support from Toronto Community Housing, Foodshare Toronto, Haven on the Queensway, The Storefront Humber, Daily Bread Food Bank and other agencies.

MABELLE Pantry was launched to provide residents a safe market-style food access experience.