By Sean Delaney
As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us in Emery Village will gather around tables filled with food, family, and tradition. It’s a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for what we have. But for more of our neighbours than ever before, the season also brings a painful reminder of what is missing. Rising grocery prices, housing costs, and energy bills are pushing families, seniors, and even working households to the breaking point. And when the cupboard is bare, many are turning to local food banks for help.
In our part of northwest Toronto, two organizations are at the centre of this response: North York Harvest Food Bank and Weston Area Emergency Support. Together they are seeing a sharp increase in need, with more families walking through their doors each week.
North York Harvest reports that nearly 30,000 people now rely on its network every month. Almost half of them are first-time users, a sign of how quickly the economy is changing for many households. Families who once managed on their own are finding that their income no longer stretches far enough to cover the basics. Children make up more than a quarter of food bank users, while seniors—often living only on government pensions—account for more than one in ten.
Weston Area Emergency Support, operating out of Central United Church on King Street, is experiencing the same pressures close to home. They now see more than 3,000 visits each month, with many of those coming from children and seniors. Larger households are more common as families share living space to save on rent. For the people who line up on Tuesday and Friday mornings, a food hamper can mean the difference between going without and sitting down to a proper meal.
Both organizations rely on volunteers and donations from the community to keep going. At Weston, neighbours help stock shelves, pack hampers, and greet families. At North York Harvest’s warehouse on Industry Street, food is sorted and distributed across the city, ensuring families have access to fresh, balanced, and culturally appropriate groceries.
Emery has always been a community built on resilience and mutual support. Many of our long-time residents remember a time when neighbours freely lent a hand, whether by sharing a meal or simply looking out for one another. That spirit is needed more than ever today.
The good news is that each of us can make a difference. Both North York Harvest and Weston Area Emergency Support welcome donations of non-perishable food, personal care items, and cleaning supplies. Monetary gifts go even further, allowing food banks to purchase fresh items that are always in short supply. Volunteers are also essential, and a few hours of your time can go a long way.
Donations for North York Harvest can be dropped off at their warehouse at 116 Industry Street, near Weston and Eglinton, or at participating grocery stores across the city. To learn more, call 416-635-7771 or visit northyorkharvest.com. Weston Area Emergency Support is located at 1 King Street, York, inside Central United Church, and accepts donations on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Food is distributed on Tuesdays and Fridays. To reach them directly, call 416-247-3737 or visit waes.ca.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, but it is also about generosity. As we give thanks for the blessings in our own lives, let’s not forget the families in our community who are struggling. A bag of groceries, a donation, or a few hours of service can help ensure that everyone in Emery Village has the chance to sit down to a meal with dignity and hope.
Because in the end, Thanksgiving is not only about what we eat, but about how we care for one another.