The December 2024 Mannahelp Holiday Food and Toy Distribution for Those In Need in Durham Region, Ontario was a success! The season brought a heartwarming reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together for a common cause.
The Mannahelp Holiday Toy Drive
From November 18 to December 13, 2024, we held our annual toy drive, collecting a wonderful array of toys for those in need. This event was launched in partnership with the Durham Corporate Centre, setting the stage for a successful campaign.
A heartfelt thank you to Stacey of Vaultra Storage Ajax, Orzala Qudussi, Lisa Patel, and Julia Seaton for enthusiastically supporting our drive and generously donating toys and gift cards for those in need!
We also extend our gratitude to Toys “R” Us Canada, Toys “R” Us Whitby, Costco Oshawa, and the local businesses at the Durham Corporate Centre for their toy donations and we thank everyone for making our 2024 Toy Drive a resounding success!
Mannahelp Holiday Food Distribution
On December 14, 2024, apart from toys we also distributed over 1,500 pounds of fresh produce, non-perishable items, and hygiene essentials, including toothpaste, bar soaps, and mouthwash, to families in need.
The December 2024 food distribution effort supported 85 families, benefiting a total of 277 individuals across the Durham Region, Ontario. To ensure accountability and fairness, we carefully cross-check our beneficiary list during pickups to confirm that the essentials are provided to the intended recipients.
The December 2024 Mannahelp Holiday Food and Toy Distribution Event for Those In Need in Durham Region, Ontario
The Mannahelp Holiday event for those in need in Durham Region, Ontario was a resounding success, thanks to the generosity and collaboration of incredible businesses, organizations, and individuals.
A Community Effort
The success of this initiative was made possible by the contributions and support of several valued partners, businesses and individuals including:
- Durham Corporate Centre
- Foresters Financial
- Lizs NoFrills Whitby
- Giant Tiger Whitby and Oshawa
- Toys “R” Us Canada
- Costco Oshawa
- Global Medic
- Cineplex and Landmark Cinemas
- Starbucks
- We also extend our gratitude to a lady with a heart of Gold – Prasha Aime, whose generous donation of over 80 cans of soup played a significant role in ensuring families received nourishing meals during the holiday season.
- Additionally, a group of extraordinary women—Orzala Quddusi founder of Make It Happen Services, Julia Seaton (an amazing realtor), and Lisa Patel (also an amazing realtor)—joined forces with the owner of Vaultra Storage in Ajax to donate toys, gift cards, and their time to help distribute items to families in need.
- Their efforts, along with the collective action of other supporters, were instrumental in ensuring the event’s success. We are deeply grateful for their kindness and commitment to making a difference. Their contributions were invaluable and exemplified the spirit of the season.
Why Helping Matters
As we celebrate the success of this event, it’s important to reflect on the critical issue we aimed to address.
According to 2024 statistics from durham.ca, food insecurity continues to affect a significant portion of families in Durham Region, Ontario.
1 in 4 households in Durham region, Ontario face food insecurity, with many struggling to put nutritious meals on the table.
The Durham.ca website also goes further to explain that Food insecurity is more prevalent among the following groups:
- Single-parent, female-led households with children
- Households where employment insurance, workers’ compensation, or social assistance is the primary source of income
- Individuals living in rental housing
- Racialized communities
These are also groups we serve at Mannahelp. Food insecurity continues to rise and the number of people we serve also continues to rise. Despite these struggles, Mannahelp remains committed to supporting the community, working to balance increasing needs with limited resources.
Challenges
Mannahelp needs to expand its capacity to serve more people especially students who go to school hungry but we face challenges due to limited resources including: funding to purchase fresh produce and non perishables in order to help those in need, limited program and storage space.
We rely on donations from the community, organizations, grocery store contributions, grants to meet the needs of our community.
For families facing financial hardship, the holiday season can be particularly challenging.
Beyond the stress of meeting basic needs, there’s often the added pressure of wanting to make the season special for their children.
This is where Mannahelp steps in, providing not just essential food items but also the joy of gifts during the holidays.
The Importance of Community Support
Mannahelp’s mission to serve underserved families in Durham Region is rooted in the belief that no one should have to face hunger or hardship alone.
Our success hinges on the strength of community partnerships and the support of businesses and individuals who share our vision. Initiatives like the Holiday Toy and Food Drive are more than just events; they are a testament to what can be accomplished when we come together for a greater good.
Community support plays a crucial role in:
- Amplifying Impact: By partnering with local businesses and organizations, we can reach more families and provide a wider range of resources. For example, the 1,500 pounds of food we distributed this holiday season included staples like potatoes, eggs, carrots, and bananas—items that make a real difference in nourishing families.
- Building Connections: Events like these bring people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. They remind us of the power of collective action and the importance of looking out for one another.
- Sustaining Efforts: Continued support from the community ensures that initiatives like ours can keep going, addressing not just seasonal needs but year-round challenges faced by many families.
Looking Ahead
At Mannahelp, our commitment to serving the community doesn’t end with the holiday season.
The challenges of food insecurity and financial hardship are ongoing, and we remain dedicated to finding ways to support families throughout the year.
However, we can’t do it alone. We need continued community engagement to strengthen our mission and broaden our impact.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The 2024 inforgaraphic by durham.ca shows that 1 in 4 households in Durham is food insecure.
Furthermore, in Durham, from 2019 to 2023, the monthly cost of food for a family of four increased by 36%, from $821 per month to $1,173 per month. In the previous 5 year period (2015 – 2018), these same costs in Durham increased by only 2%, from $830 per month to $853 per month.
The growing food insecurity in Durham is driven by a steep increase in the cost of essential needs, particularly food and housing.
We encourage everyone in Durham Region to get involved. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, your support makes a tangible difference.
Together, we can create a stronger, more compassionate community where no one has to face hardship alone.
As we close this chapter of the holiday season, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our Toy and Food Drive.
From the businesses and individuals who donated to the volunteers who gave their time, you have shown the true meaning of community.
To our partners, including Tim Kennedy, owner of Durham Corporate Centre, Prasha Aime a wonderful donor and volunteer, Foresters Financial, Liz LaFlamme, owner of LizsNofrills Whitby, Alana Spadafora, the awesome Manager at Toys “R” Us Canada.
Special thanks to Alyssa Morris, Starbucks Manager for their donation, Costco Oshawa, Global Medic, Cineplex and Landmark Cinemas, Vaultra Storage and the incredible trio of Orzala Quddusi, Julia Seaton, and Lisa Patel—thank you for your unwavering support.
Together, we made the holidays brighter for so many people Let’s carry this spirit of giving and collaboration into the new year and beyond.
For more information about Mannahelp and how you can support our initiatives, visit our website regularly, and follow us on social media.
Together, we can continue to uplift our community and bring hope to those who need it most.
