Each year at this time, the Toronto office of Blakes sends out a challenge to other Bay Street firms to organize food drives/fundraising on behalf of the Daily Bread Food Bank. Last year's challenge raised an incredible $271,645. Can the firms do even better this year? Who will get bragging rights for the most food and dollars raised?
The law firm challenge runs Monday, November 23 to Friday, December 11.
From the Blakes memo that went to firms:
Daily Bread supplies 13 million pounds of emergency food. Last year, there was over 1 million food bank visits across the GTA; with 35% of food bank clients being children. This year there has been a 17% increase in food bank visits, compared with the same time last year, and this number is expected to be closer to 20% for the second half of the year. Your help and support is needed now more than ever!
There is always room for more firms in the challenge! If you would like to get your firm involved, please contact Kristin Thomas at the Food Bank at kristin@dailybread.ca for details.
If you (like me) are not in a Toronto firm, here are additional options for giving:
Daily Bread's holiday drive is starting up November 27. Donate online at www.dailybread.ca, and they also accept donations at all Toronto fire halls, or cash donations by phone at 416-203-0050 or by good old fashioned cheque to:
Daily Bread Food Bank
191 New Toronto Street,
Toronto, Ontario M8V 2E7
There will also be a third "HoHoTO" event for the Daily Bread Food Bank, date to be announced. What is HoHoTO? See my write-up of last year's event. For details, follow @HoHoTO on Twitter or watch the HoHoTO website as details emerge.
Not in Toronto? The Globe and Mail is reporting that food banks across the country are facing greatly increasing demands. Why not start your own food raising/fundraising event or challenge? Lawyer Rob Hyndman, involved in initiating HoHoTO, has a great blog post about opening yourself (and your organization) up to work with others in a positive, constructive, affirming manner. If you start something, let us know the details here!
A special thanks to Sarah at the Daily Bread Food Bank who answered my questions via Twitter and email! She is "tweeting" on behalf of Daily Bread at @DailyBreadTO.
Hi Connie,
If people live outside of Toronto, they may want to consider donating to their local food bank also. I know Mississauga Food Bank (http://www.themississaugafoodbank.org/)is looking for assistance as are others in Oakville (www.kerrstreet.com) and numerous other places.
Update on #HoHoTO: The date has been set for December 16th, to be held again at the Mod Club. Additional details will be forthcoming.
Hi Elise:
You are right, food banks across Canada need help, too. Thank you for the extra links!
Update:
The Toronto Holiday Law Firm Challenge final totals are being tallied by Daily Bread. I will be reporting back in the next few days as to the results.
#HoHoTO is now officially sold out. Those with extra tickets are auctioning them off via Twitter with proceeds going back to the Daily Bread. $40,000 has already been raised, and more is expected with various raffles and silent auctions the night of, already far exceeding last year's $25,000 final total.