JESUS THE KING COUNCIL FIGHTS HUNGER ON CHRISTMAS
Jesus the king Council 15045 launched a campaign to FIGHT HUNGER ON CHRISTMAS and donated $2000 to each one of five food banks and two organizations that feed the homeless and vulnerable: Richmond Hill Food Bank, Knights Table, Daily Bread Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, North York Harvest. Also to Covenant House, and Scott Mission.
Daily Bread Food Bank & North York Harvest, together, issued a report and called to implement real long-term solutions to end poverty and food insecurity.
“From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, Toronto food banks served a record-breaking 3.49 million client visits—almost 1 million more than last year. This figure is higher than the City of Toronto’s entire population and could fill the Rogers Centre almost 70 times. More than 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on food banks. With no way to escape poverty, too many of our neighbours are struggling. Almost 155,000 new clients in a year cannot be the new normal in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Food banks are not long-term solutions to hunger in the GTA. The hungry need: more affordable housing, a higher minimum wage, more support for newcomers, higher social assistance rates, and more employment support. Food is a fundamental human right, not a privilege—and everyone should be able to live a life of dignity, where their most basic needs are met.”
NORTH YORK HARVEST
SPREADING FESTIVE CHEER ACROSS THEIR COMMUNITY
They are not only providing food assistance but spreading hope and happiness in their community. They distributed thousands of Toronto Star Santa Claus boxes.
RICHMOND HILL FOOD BANK
Richmond Hill Community Food Bank on a typical morning serves between 50 and 80 families, and on busy days, even 92 families! The $2,000 generous donation from Jesus the King Council will be used to purchase milk, meat and eggs. In fact, several times a month they run out of milk, and have to give people cream instead, or they run very low on meat! See the empty shelve photo on one of the days. Donate to Richmond Hill Food Bank and fill their shelves to meet the demand of the hungry.
SCOTT MISSION: LOVE IS THE WAY
For 83 years, Scott Mission has been responding to the needs of individuals and families who face poverty and homelessness – offering practical, emotional, and spiritual support to love their neighbors across the GTA. By fulfilling the basic needs for shelter and food, they also provide a sense of community, connection, and hope for their neighbours who visit the Mission.
Inflation, combined with a severe lack of affordable housing in Toronto, means more people are turning to Scott Mission for help to survive. This year, Scott Mission has served 387,000+ nourishing meals (25% more than last year) and over 45,500 bags of groceries (15% increase in demand for grocery help over the past three years).
The Mission is always expanding efforts to bridge the housing and hunger gap for individuals and families – nurturing support through counselling and a pilot recovery program, support groups, life skills workshops, and pastoral care and Bible study.
COVENANT HOUSE
It takes great courage for youth to come to their doors and ask for help during this season — a season filled with lights, merriment, traditions and family. It takes courage to face the reality that you have nowhere safe to go and no one you can count on.
Instead of feeling pangs of hunger, youth at Covenant House will get nutritious food and a proper Christmas meal. Instead of sleeping on a subway grate, they’ll curl up in a warm and safe bed. Instead of fearing for their safety, they will be inside a welcoming shelter with caring staff.
Brother Hikmat, the Deputy Grand Knight of Jesus the King council and Ontario Director of Christian Refugee Relief, encourages all Knights of Columbus councils to donate to these food banks mentioned above and fight hunger all year round and not only on Christmas. For more info visit www.christianrefugeerelief.org or email [email protected] We thank OLG, City of Richmond Hill and Bingo World + Gaming for the charitable gaming funds to support more than 35 charities.