NEWS RELEASE
FOOD BANK OF YORK REGION
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The Food Bank of York Region’s (FBYR) Emergency Covid-19 Home Delivery Program has been re-funded. This will be the fourth time that the program has been extended to help meet the needs of York Region residents experiencing hunger due to the state of emergency declared by the Ontario government.
“We’re very thankful for the available funding that’s been allocated to our program to keep it running. There’s been a significant increase in food insecurity among York Region residents, and we’re here to help,” explains Alex Bilotta, founder and CEO of the Food Bank of York Region. “Our doors remain open to volunteers and our delivery and warehouse staff are diligently working to keep up with the demand for food support.”
“I have to say with these hard times this organization has been with my family every step of the way. After being laid off since April and finally receiving my permanent layoff notice due to COVID, it has been extremely rough for my family. I do not know what I would do without you guys, honestly. I was in tears after today's delivery and know I will be able to feed my family for a while and be at peace in this regard. I promise when we are back on our feet, we will pay it forward a 1000%. Thank you so much from my family,” shares Kimberly F., a home delivery program client.
Since 2020, the FBYR’s COVID-19 home delivery program has made food deliveries to 4,755 unique individuals, and 1,506 households, with over $1.2 million in food donations. The FBYR makes between 200 to 240 home deliveries per week across York Region, and has hired one full-time driver, and two part-time drivers to keep up with the increasing demand. Even with the added drivers, there are still about 100 to 200 applicants in the queue every week going without a delivery.
“I would like to first thank you and the entire FBYR team for supporting the community and wanted to let you guys know that the support stretches further than food. Dining together as family was something, we all took for granted; that was until food was starting to become an issue. Through the food stability the FBYR provides, we are once again able to enjoy hot meals together without the fear of not knowing where the next meal will come from,” voices Christian D., a home delivery program client.
To be eligible for the FBYR’s home delivery program, an applicant must be a resident of York Region, and not belong to a social housing co-operative home that already has an established food program partnership with the organization. Each applicant can apply for an emergency food home delivery on the FBYR’s website here.
Once an application is received it will be processed within four to 10 business days on a first come, first serve basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply once every two weeks, starting from the day they received their last home delivery. We do ask for patience and understanding as we are receiving many applications and can only complete a certain number of deliveries per day. For more information of the FBYR’s programs, community partners, and ways to give, click here.
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