Benefitting Vulnerable Children & Families Across York Region: March 29 – April 8, 2022
Pope Francis asks us: “When we meet a person truly in need, do we see the face of God?”
These inspiring words speak to the power of giving, reflection and encountering grace in our journey as Catholics. With this in mind, and in the spirit of the Lenten season, elementary school communities across the YCDSB will once again join together to provide vital nutrition and personal care essentials to nine different food banks and food pantries across York Region.
Donations will be gratefully accepted from March 29 – April 8, 2022 between the hours of 8:30am-6:00pm. Collection bins will be located at the front doors of participating YCDSB elementary schools on designated days, ready to receive non-perishable food and/or personal care items from parents, students, family members and the community at-large. Visit the Collection Day Calendar here. Reminders and event updates will also be promoted through the schools’ social networks and via @YCDSB.
“Now more than ever, many of our neighbours across York Region are facing stress and uncertainty on so many levels,” said YCDSB Chair, Elizabeth Crowe. “Our board is proud to be reaching out once again with the Nurturing Hope initiative, and commends Angela Lomuto-Corriero, Nurturing Hope Spring Food Drive Lead / St. Padre Pio CES Principal, along with all our YCDSB staff, students and families for their remarkable work and generosity.”
In 2020, Food Banks of York Region distributed $8.5 million worth of food and supplies to 83 community organization partners who provided food services to York Region residents facing food insecurity.*
NURTURING HOPE – BY THE NUMBERS:
1 – Number of items it takes to make a difference when donating.
7 – Percentage of York Region households that experienced food insecurity between 2009 and 2014, representing approximately 24,700 households*. As new data emerges, and the long-term economic impact of COVID-19 is felt across the province, household food insecurity and childhood hunger in York Region continue to increase. Between April 2020 and March 2021, close to 600,000 people accessed a local food bank in York Region, representing a 10 to 12 per cent increase over the previous year.
9 – York Region food banks and pantries benefitting from the YCDSB “Nurturing Hope” Spring Food Drive: Newmarket Food Pantry; Richmond Hill Food Bank; Keswick Food Bank; Aurora Food Pantry; King Township Food Bank; Georgina Food Pantry; Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank; Markham Food Bank; Vaughan Food Bank).
18000 – Pounds, or nine tons (approx.) of food and supplies collected by the YCDSB “Nurturing Hope” initiative to date.
* Food Banks York Region Report On Hunger 2020 fbyr.ca/2020ReportOnHunger
032122Nurturing Hope Food DriveCALENDAR 2022