Since Emma Dagher began volunteering with Food Bank of York Region (FBYR) one year ago, she has collected a whopping 9,186 pounds of food — equal to about $20,000 in food donations.
The donations will help deliver more than 70,000 meals to the FBYR’s collective network and last month her efforts were recognized when FBYR named her February Volunteer of the Month.
“We’re so happy and proud to have Emma as part of our volunteer team. Her community service helps our food bank feed more people throughout York Region,” said FBYR community relations manager, Sarah Smith in a media release.
Dagher, 28, said she was compelled to volunteer after reading a NewmarketToday article that said first-time food bank use was up 50 per cent.
"I couldn't get that statistic out of my head. It made me think about that first-time food bank users could be someone like myself who's been comfortable with food security and then all of a sudden as circumstances out of our control, I can see myself having to use a food bank."
Dagher, a personal trainer, approached health and wellness businesses in Aurora still operating during lockdown and asked if they would be willing to host donation bins, which she provided.
She collected the bins on a Friday and presented them to FBYR, which had no idea who she was.
Since she started, Dagher has recruited nine full-time businesses and three seasonal ones including: Lifespring Physiotherapy, St. Andrew’s Chiropractic and Wellness, Pro Motion Physiotherapy, Aurora Athletic Club, Café Andes, Aurora Tigers, Pulsar’s Gymnastics, Powell Constriction and three Healthy Planet locations (Aurora, Richmond Hill and Markham).
“The Lifespring Physiotherapy team has been happy to partner with Emma Dagher on collecting donations for the Food Bank of York Region. We know that now more than ever people are having to rely on the food bank,” said Stephanie Lobraico of Lifespring Physiotherapy. “It has been an honour and privilege to work with such an incredible young woman who is truly making a difference in our community, especially during the pandemic.”
Dagher didn't plan on collecting so much food or to still be doing it a year later, she said. She thought she would collect a 20-pound box of food once or twice and that would be it, but now she can't envision her week without it.
"It was not at all expected. It was supposed to be a small thing and it just blew up into this huge initiative that has become part of my weekly routine."
"Community food drives and fundraisers are vital to the success of the FBYR’s community food security outreach efforts. We need committed community members like Emma to host initiatives like hers on a regular and constant basis. If she can provide this much support as just one person, the sky is the limit for future opportunities," Smith said.
Like many during the pandemic, Dagher's family tightened their budget to accommodate less income but she considers herself fortunate because she's never had to use the food bank.
"I do this because I can and because I can, I think I should."
For more information on how to get involved with a food drive or fundraiser in support of the FBYR and its network, visit www.fbyr.ca/food-or-fund-drives/ today.
The FBYR is the regional food hub and mobile food pantry with a network of more than 75 social service agencies and emergency home delivery programs. The network supports food programs in the nine municipalities of York Region, including the Newmarket Food Pantry, serving more than 24,000 individuals in 7,000 households.
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of people accessing food bank programs in York Region by 42 per cent from 2018, expanding the threshold of food insecurity to a larger scale of members in our community.