Food Bank
The UTSU Food Bank has been running since 2001 and aims to address food insecurity on campus by operating a free, year-round Food Bank open to all University of Toronto students in need of food. This service provides support to single students and students with families.
We aim to provide a food bank that is accessible to students in light of COVID-19 in its new home at the Student Commons. Our goal is to ensure that all students using the UTSU Food Bank are treated with respect and that our food distribution is equitable and fair. At times we have limited supplies and will do our best to accommodate students.Â
Objectives:
- To ensure students have food in their cupboards
- Protect and maintain student confidentiality and privacy
- Address hunger as a health and wellness issue
- Accommodate different dietary and cultural needs (where possible)
- Provide a safe environment for students and staff in light of COVID-19
When:
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. every Friday by appointment
Where:
Food Bank Room 136 –Â Student Commons (230 College St., Huron St. entrance)
What to bring:
Valid T card or copy of current timetable, and reusable bags for carrying food!Â
Register to Use Service
The food bank is open weekly on Fridays for Fall 2023, running from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Appointments will be available every Wednesday before the service between 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Fall 2023 Service Dates:
- Friday, September 8, 2023
- Friday, September 15, 2023
- Friday, September 22, 2023
- Thursday, September 28, 2023
- Friday, October 6, 2023
- Friday, October 13, 2023
- Friday, October 20, 2023
- Friday, October 27, 2023
- Friday, November 3, 2023
- Friday, November 10, 2023
- Friday, November 17, 2023
- Friday, November 24, 2023
- Friday, December 1, 2023
- Friday, December 8, 2023
- Friday, December 15, 2023
Rules & Guidelines of Service: COVID-19
- Two student clients will be allowed into the food bank room at a time
- COVID-19 protocols will be followed while handling and distributing foodÂ
- No food substitutions or exchanges will occur in light of COVID-19 and variances in supplyÂ
Book your appointment
Volunteer Testimonials
Merveille Massamba
I had a great pleasure volunteering for the UTSU Food Bank over the past two months. We were able to help about 235 students in the UofT community which was a great achievement! I think that the UTSU Food Bank is an important resource to have in the UofT community as many students struggle with food insecurity and finance issues. I was very happy and honoured to be a part of the team and help to accommodate students in need.
Sharanya Shankar
I was a summer volunteer at the UTSU Food Bank, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The fast-paced atmosphere in the room during service hours, although challenging, was lively and a joy to experience.Â
This opportunity left me with many transferable skills such as customer service, teamwork, and problem-solving tactics, which I’ve been able to use in various forms! I look forward to volunteering at the UTSU Food Bank again in the future!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Following UofT COVID-19 guidelines and building protocols, social distancing, optional maskingÂ
- Arrival no more than 10 minutes before appointment time
- Touchless service, food is pre-packed (no substitutions or exchanges)
- Show your T-card or timetable each time
- Arrival no more than 10 minutes before appointment time
- Assign a proxy to access the UTSU Food Bank on your behalf. This could be a friend or family member, and they do not have to be a current U of T student.Â
- To do this, you must give your T-Card (or other proof of enrollment) to your proxy to show at the appointment.
- Email services@utsu.ca to change your appointment time, or arrange pick up on an alternate day
During Fall 2023, the service will run every Friday. Any changes to the service will be updated on this website and the UTSU Instagram.
Yes, we are currently accepting food and toy donations as part of the Annual Campus Food & Toy Drive. Visit here for drop-off locations around campus until November 30 or you can also drop them off at the Student Commons until December 1.
We are also accepting cash donations to purchase gift cards that will be distributed to student food bank clients and student families in need this holiday season. Click here to donate.
For other donation inquiries, please contact services@utsu.ca
- 211 Ontario has the most complete directory of local food resources including Food Banks and Referrals, Food Delivery, Free/Low Cost Meals and more.
- Use the UofT Emergency Food Bank
We are currently recruiting volunteers. See the full volunteer posting here for fall 2023 volunteering.
Resources
Second Harvest’s Food Consumption Timetable
Did you miss the How to Reduce Food Waste at Home Workshop, presented by Second Harvest? Find the recording of the workshop here!
Scott Mission Food Bank
502 Spadina Ave,
Toronto ON, M5S 2H1
416-923-8872
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., closed Wednesday afternoons.
Fort York Food Bank
380 College St,
Toronto ON, M5T 1S6
416-203-3011
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Thursday: 9AM-12:00PMÂ – (Doors close at 11:30AM; clients that arrive before this time will be served up until noon)Â
Friday: 9AM to 4PMÂ
Saturday: 9AM to 12PM
Sunday: Hot Meal Service 12PM to 2PM
Lighthouse Food Bank
1008 Bathurst St,
Toronto ON, M5R 3G7
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., registration starts at 12:30 p.m.
Please visit 211 Ontario for information on other food banks near you.