2014 marks the seventh anniversary of tackling local hunger through the power of social media
TORONTO, Dec. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, developers and web-heads joined together and raised $37,000 at HoHoTO, a fundraiser and kick-ass holiday party, in support of Daily Bread Food Bank.
Since 2008, HoHoTO has raised over $357,000 for Daily Bread Food Bank. HoHoTO is often cited as one of the first remarkable examples of a hyper-connected social media movement using the power of self-organizing online groups to make a real world difference.
"It's outrageous that any of our neighbours, colleagues and friends should ever go hungry, but they do," says Wendy Koslow, HoHoTO organizer. "Often, people who turn to Daily Bread for food have jobs, just not enough income to pay for rent and food. Some people have been between jobs just a little too long, and have no other option and this is why we have joined together to help."
Run by an assembly of volunteers who rely on freely available online collaboration tools to pull off this extraordinary event, HoHoTO raises funds from sponsorships, event and raffle tickets to help the Daily Bread feed the hungry.
"I'm always amazed at what HoHoTO manages to accomplish every year. It's a great party and a fun time but also reminds people that there are those who are struggling," said Gail Nyberg, Executive Director, Daily Bread Food Bank. "I'm always thrilled when people choose to give their time and energy back to the community in this way."
In a typical month, Daily Bread Food Bank's member agencies sees an average of 58,000 visits and distributes approximately 720,000 pounds of food. The average food bank client spends 71 per cent of their income on housing costs (rent, utility bills etc).
About HoHoTO
HoHoTO started as a casual remark in a Twitter discussion in 2008 and grew at great speed to become Toronto's biggest Holiday fundraiser party for the geek community, almost overnight. HoHoTO is a way for Toronto's vibrant, thriving tech community to spread a little love each holiday season, and give something to those less fortunate.
HoHoTO has been cited as one of the first and best examples of the power of self-organizing online groups to make a real-world difference. The event has been profiled as a best-practice use of Twitter and social media in best-selling business books, recognized by Queen Rania of Jordan as an example of social media influencing online activism, and endorsed by Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Rick Mercer, David Miller, Don Tapscott, Reddit's Alexis Ohanian, Cory Doctorow, David Weinberger, and others.
About Daily Bread Food Bank
Daily Bread Food Bank is a registered charity that is fighting hunger in our communities. A distribution hub, Daily Bread provides food and support to almost 200 food programs across Toronto. Daily Bread also works towards long-term solutions to hunger and runs innovative programs to support people on low incomes including a community garden, food services training program and an information and referral services program that trains member agencies to support food bank clients by connecting them to community resources. For more information on Daily Bread Food Bank, please visit www.dailybread.ca.
Image with caption: "Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, developers and web-heads joined together and raised $37,000 at #HoHoTO, a fundraiser and kick-ass holiday party, in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141222_C8992_PHOTO_EN_9767.jpg
Image with caption: "Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, developers and web-heads joined together and raised $37,000 at #HoHoTO, a fundraiser and kick-ass holiday party, in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141222_C8992_PHOTO_EN_9769.jpg
Image with caption: "Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, developers and web-heads joined together and raised $37,000 at #HoHoTO, a fundraiser and kick-ass holiday party, in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141222_C8992_PHOTO_EN_9771.jpg
Image with caption: "Toronto's connected community of marketers, entrepreneurs, developers and web-heads joined together and raised $37,000 at #HoHoTO, a fundraiser and kick-ass holiday party, in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank. (CNW Group/HoHoTO)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141222_C8992_PHOTO_EN_9772.jpg
SOURCE: HoHoTO
Katie Boland, 647.217.6982, [email protected]
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