Daily Bread launches Holiday Drive with a goal of $1 million

TORONTO , Nov. 27 /CNW/ - No one uses a food bank because they want to - they use it because they need to. Once again, food banks across Toronto are seeing an increased demand, which means Daily Bread Food Bank is looking to raise one million lbs of food and one million dollars in donations this holiday season.

While the economy continues to recover, food banks and food bank clients continue to struggle. Over the last three months, Daily Bread has seen an increase of 14% over the same time last year. The national unemployment rate rose to 8.6% last month while Ontario's jobless rate sits at 9.3%, with 206,000 jobs lost since October 2008 . "What people who have lost their jobs and have been turning to food banks need to see are more employment opportunities and better employment opportunities. And those opportunities are not there," said Gail Nyberg , executive director of Daily Bread Food Bank. "You can't survive by piecing together part-time jobs when you have a family to support or rent to pay."

The Holiday Drive officially runs from November 27 until January 4, 2010 and it is easy to support the fight against hunger in the GTA. Financial donations can be made securely, online at www.dailybread.ca or by calling 416-203-0050. Cheques can be mailed to Daily Bread Food Bank at 191 New Toronto Street, Toronto ON M8V 2E7. The public can drop off nutritious, non-perishable food at any fire hall or any Loblaws location starting November 27 . Most needed food items include: baby formula and food; peanut butter; canned fruit or vegetables; canned fish or meat; dried pasta and tomato sauce; powdered, canned or tetra pak milk; macaroni and cheese; bags of rice; cans of lentils and beans; hearty soup or stew and bags of lentils.

Daily Bread Food Bank is a non-profit, charitable organization that is fighting to end hunger in our communities. Daily Bread serves people through neighbourhood food banks and meal programs in its 171 member agencies. Daily Bread Food Bank fights hunger by providing food and resources for hungry people; mobilizing greater community support and creating social change through research, education and advocacy.

Daily Bread Food Bank is fighting to end hunger in our communities.

For further information: Sarah Anderson, Communications & Marketing Officer, T: [phone] ext. 238, E: [email protected], M: [phone]