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Do you provide food?
Yes, we provide a Community Homeless Meal, hosted at Moss Park or Allan Gardens, once a month.
Unfortunately, at this time our Grocery Box program is on hold until we can obtain more funding. We do not currently have any other way to provide food.
Do you provide financial assistance?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide direct financial assistance at this time, but we are able to connect you to various community resources.
Do you provide toiletries?
Yes, we do provide toiletries at our Community Homeless Meals, hosted at Moss Park or Allan Gardens, once a month.
Do you provide pet food?
Yes, we do provide pet food at our Community Homeless Meals, hosted at Moss Park or Allan Gardens, once a month.
Do you provide clothing?
Yes, we do allow families, who have requested in advance, to attend our Clothing & More Drive, happening once a month at Fairbank Memorial Community Centre.
Do you provide baby items?
Unfortunately we do not have diapers and formula available at this time. We do sometimes have stuffed toys and baby clothing at our Clothing & More Drive, happening once a month at Fairbank Memorial Community Centre.
What other services do you offer?
What is the process to apply for services?
The intake form can be found on this website under the tab assigned to that initiative (ex. Easter, Christmas, Back-to-School). Simply complete the application, following all instructions. You will be notified of all details twice, at 2 weeks and at 5 days before your delivery or pick-up, unless there are any questions regarding the information on your application, in which case we will contact you sooner. For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions page.
How do you accommodate clients without internet access?
Unfortunately, since the majority of our communication is through email, we are unable to accommodate clients without internet access. You may access the internet at your local library, if needed.
How much will your services cost?
For families with disabilities, mental health challenges, seniors and/or the unhoused, if you register for delivery of services ONLY, there will be a $15 deposit, which will be returned in the form of a grocery gift card at the time of delivery.
For all other low-income families, since pick-up is required there is no cost for our services.
What payment methods are accepted?
E-transfer is the preferred method as there are no associated fees. GoFundMe is available if you wish to use your credit card, although there is an additional $1 fee per transaction. If you are unable to provide any form of electronic payment, please contact the intake team.
How often can I receive your services?
You can apply to receive services each time we host an initiative, although each one has its own criteria. The first 5 days, that any initiative registration form is open, will be reserved for families with disabilities, mental health challenges, seniors and the unhoused. On day 6, the registration form will be open to all low-income families.
When are the registration applications open for submissions?
Our Easter initiative has applications opening approximately 4 weeks prior to the delivery date. Our Back-to-School registration opens on August 1st. Our Christmas registration opens on November 1st.
Are you a registered agency?
We are an incorporated non-profit organization governed by the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act: 2020-04-30. Our Corporate Name is Toronto Cares Initiative. Our Corporation Number is 1203133-7. As of May 23, 2023 we are also a Registered Canadian Charity. Our Charitable Business Number (BN) is 736496076RR0001.
Are you a food bank?
We used to be a food delivery service targeted to clients who are unable to access food banks. Although 211 has us listed as a food bank, this is simply for the purpose of categorization. These services are on hold until we are able to get more funding.
What is the difference between a charity and a non-profit?
Only charities are able to provide tax receipts, but both follow the same basic charitable guidelines.
How are decisions made within your organization?
The major decisions within the organization are made by our Board Of Directors. We also have an Advisory Council, which votes on all major decisions to advise the Board of Directors. The majority of the basic day-to-day decisions are made by our Executive Director and Founder.
How do you ensure my privacy is protected?
All of our volunteers and employees have signed a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that your personal information is kept private.
Who do you help?
Our services can be accessed by anyone, although Priority Access is given to families with disabilities, mental health challenges, seniors, and the unhoused. Our targeted demographic is low-income families who are unable to leave their homes for a variety of reasons. We also assist the homeless population within the tent-cities whenever possible.
When will you notify me that my gifts are coming?
Please visit our Events Calendar page, for all important upcoming dates.
On your application, on the first page, and on the confirmation page, it will list the date of the delivery/pick-up for the initiative that you are applying for.
2 weeks prior to delivery/pick-up, we contact clients through EMAIL ONLY to confirm that their gifts will be delivered.
5 days prior to delivery/pick-up, we contact clients through EMAIL ONLY to remind them of the delivery/pick-up date.
DELIVERY ONLY: On the day of the initiative, our volunteer drivers call the clients that they are delivering to before leaving the distribution centre. Our volunteer drivers will also call approximately 10 minutes before arrival at your home.
When will you deliver my gifts?
Please visit our Events Calendar page, for all important upcoming dates.
What if I’m not home?
Unfortunately, because we have had issues with gifts being stolen, we are unable to leave your gifts with anyone other than yourself, a friend, a family member, or a neighbour. We cannot leave your gifts on your doorstep, with a concierge, in your garage, etc. We also cannot hold your delivery until a later time or date. We will only be delivering to the address on the application. If you are not home or are unreachable, then you forfeit your gifts for that initiative and there will not be a refund.
Do you deliver directly to my door?
If you live in a house, then we are able to deliver it to your doorstep. If you live in an apartment building, we are unfortunately unable to enter the building so recipients are required to meet their driver in the lobby or outside their building. This is due to COVID-19 safety precautions for our volunteers.
What are the size and weight of your packages?
Unfortunately, we are unable to determine the size and weight of your gifts in advance, as they vary with each initiative.
What is the value of your gifts?
Easter gifts are approximately $20 in value.
Back-to-School gifts are approximately $50 in value. Our Christmas gifts are approximately $30 in value.
Why is there a cost associated with your deliveries?
For families with disabilities, mental health challenges, seniors and/or the unhoused, if you register for delivery of services ONLY, there will be a $15 deposit, which will be returned in the form of a grocery gift card at the time of delivery. The deposit is to ensure that families are home at the time of the delivery.
For all other low-income families, since pick-up is required there is no cost for our services.
Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, at this time we are unable to provide refunds for any reason.
Do you still provide free services?
Yes, for anyone who is picking-up, services are 100% free. For anyone receiving delivery, there is a $15 deposit required which is returned in the form of a $15 grocery gift card at the time of delivery.
Do you provide assistance for the homeless?
Yes, the second or third Sunday of each month we visit the tent-cities in the downtown core at either Moss Park or Allan Gardens (alternating on a monthly basis) to hand out hot meals, packaged lunches, toiletries, and other supplies prepared/collected specifically for this program.
What type(s) of assistance do you provide the homeless in the tent-cities?
Each week, we provide hot meals, packaged lunches, and other supplies (ex. reusable water bottles, clothing, etc.) We also provide toiletry kits. Items vary from week to week, depending on what we receive as donations.
What assistance do you provide the shelters and drop-in networks?
Each week, we provide leftover bread, buns and//or bagels, that are overflow from our community partner, Cobs Bread, to the Scott Mission. We also take any items leftover from the Community Homeless Meal to various shelters within the downtown core. Items vary from month to month, depending on what we have leftover.
Please email us at helping.toronto.intake@gmail.com
Do you accept donations?
We accept both financial and new/second-hand in-kind/physical donations.
How can I donate?
What type of in-kind donations do you accept?
As long as it is new and not expired, we accept food, school supplies, toys, children’s books, and toiletries.
How can I notify you that I would like to donate?
Can I volunteer?
Yes, we are always looking for a variety of volunteers. Please see our volunteering page at www.toronto-cares.ca/volunteers
Do you accept financial donations?
We are always happy to accept financial donations through GoFundMe, PayPal, credit card, VISA/Mastercard debit cards via our website through the PayPal donation link located at the bottom of the homepage. We accept cheques payable to 'Toronto Cares Initiative'. We also accept email transfer to helping.toronto.2020@gmail.com
Do you accept in-kind/physical donations?
As long as it is new and not expired, we accept food, school supplies, toys, children’s books, and toiletries.
Do you accept second-hand donations?
For second-hand items, our Clothing & More Drives accept any clothing, household, and office supplies that are smaller than 18”.
Do you pick up in-kind/physical donations?
Dependent on the volume of your donation, we are able to pick-up larger quantities of items. If you have a smaller donation, we have multiple locations where they can be dropped-off. Please visit www.toronto-cares.ca/monthly-donation-drives for a list of locations.
Where does my financial donation go?
Over 90% of your donations go directly toward purchasing gifts and supplies for our clients. Less than 10% of your donations may be used for administrative costs such as boxes and labels. We will never use your donations to pay for employee salaries.
Where do my in-kind/physical donations go?
The majority of your donations go directly back to our clients, the one exception being, that our leftover items from the Clothing & More Drive are sold to a third-party company, with all profits going directly back to our clients. For more information, please visit www.toronto-cares.ca/monthly-donation-drives
Why do you need financial donations?
For our meal programs: unlike the majority of food banks/drop-in centres that receive their supplies from Food Banks Canada, which are often past the best before date, we purchase most of our food directly from the suppliers to ensure that they are fresh.
Please email us at helping.toronto.2020@gmail.com
Are there any costs associated with volunteering?
Do you provide any technology?
As we are a non-profit organization, we do not have the budget to be able to provide phones or computers to our volunteers. We do however, provide refurbished computers for our disabled employees.
What kind of programs do I need to use for an administrative position?
We use Google based technology including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. This is currently being switched over to all Microsoft products, through a federal grant. Depending on your position, we also use Constant Contact, Canva, Microsoft Teams, GoDaddy, and various social media outlets. All of these are either free to download or we have an account for you to use.
Where is your packing facility?
We currently use the Fairbank Memorial Community Centre at 2213 Dufferin St., through the back door, for the majority of our on-site events. For our 'Special Initiatives', we also use the Danforth Mennonite Church at 2174 Danforth Ave. On occasion, we have events at the Fairbank BIA (Business Improvement Association) at 1988 Eglinton Ave West.
Is there parking available?
Parking availability is dependent on the venue that you choose to volunteer at. Fairbank Memorial Community Centre has a small parking lot available for public use, but the Danforth Mennonite Church and Fairbank BIA only have street parking available.
Where is your distribution centre?
We currently offer 2 locations to pick up gifts for delivery. For anyone in the west end of the city, please pick up at 2213 Dufferin St. For anyone in the east end of the city, please pick up at 2174 Danforth Ave.
How far apart will my deliveries be?
We cover Toronto, Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York. We do our best to group deliveries by city wards or neighbourhoods.
Do you provide letters for OW and ODSP?
Yes, at this time, we are able to provide a letter, after a minimum of 3 volunteering events.
Do you provide letters for high school students?
No, instead we ask that any high school students bring a printed copy of their volunteer hour sheet, which will be signed at the completion of your shift each day. At this time, we are unable to provide electronic signatures for high school hours.
Can I get a professional reference?
Yes, we are happy to provide a reference to administrative and management volunteers who successfully complete their contract. We are also happy to provide a reference to packing and delivery volunteers that participate frequently after a minimum of three consecutive volunteering events.
How will I be protected from COVID-19?
We ask our volunteers to please bring their own PPE when available. If not available, you will be provided with a mask and gloves. Our packing facility is a large gym in the basement of the church, providing plenty of room for social distancing during most of the process. We also request that drivers do not enter apartment buildings and maintain contactless deliveries whenever possible.
Is there a dress code or uniform?
We kindly request that all of our volunteers dress appropriately. For example, no discriminatory logos or phrasing, no overly suggestive clothing, etc. It is suggested for packers and drivers to not wear open toe shoes for safety reasons. Dress comfortably for lifting, bending, and extended periods on your feet.
What is the process to become a volunteer?
The first step is to fill out the application located on this website, under the Volunteers tab.
Why do I have to sign a waiver to volunteer?
Our organization serves some of the most vulnerable populations in the community. We have access to their most private details, therefore we require all volunteers in every position to sign the waiver which includes a non-disclosure agreement.
Why do I have to sign photo consent?
Not only do we use photographs and videos to promote the organization, but the facility that we use is also under video surveillance.
What is the time commitment?
We will require a minimum of 3 hours per initiative, dependent on the position. For admin and committee positions, increased availability will be given priority during the review process.
How long will my contract last?
There is no contract for packing volunteers or delivery driving volunteers. For admin and committee positions, we are looking for a minimum of 3 months commitment, at which time your position will be reviewed.
Are there minimum age requirements?
Why are there minimum age requirements for some positions?
Administrative, committee and management positions have access to highly sensitive data, therefore we require a minimum age in order to participate in those particular jobs.
What are the requirements to join the administrative, committee or management teams?
Is an interview required to join the administrative or management teams?
Yes, either a phone call or Microsoft Teams meeting is required with a member of our management team.
What type of reference is acceptable to include in my application?
Due to the highly sensitive nature of the information you will be able to access, we require a reference that can speak to your character from someone in a supervisory position. (For example, co-op placements, community groups, employers, volunteer coordinators, post-secondary professors, landlord, etc.)
Can I use a friend, family member, or coworker as a reference?
No, please see the previous question regarding acceptable references.
Please email us at helping.toronto.volunteers@gmail.com
CRA Charitable Number: 736496076RR0001
Dufferin St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada*
647-451-FOOD (3663)
Monday-Saturday 8am-7pm
helping.toronto.2020@gmail.com
*Mailing address: please visit the 'Contact Us' page
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