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 Winter 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.
Winter 2023 Service Dates:
- Friday January 13, 2023
- Friday January 20, 2023
- Friday January 27, 2023
- Friday February 3, 2023
- Friday February 10, 2023
- Friday February 17, 2023
- Friday February 24, 2023
- Friday March 3, 2023
- Friday March 10, 2023
- Friday March 17, 2023
- Friday March 24, 2023
- Friday March 31, 2023
- Thursday April 6, 2023
- Friday April 14, 2023
- Friday April 21, 2023
- Friday April 28, 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.
During Winter 2023, the service will run every Friday except Friday, April 7 (service for that week will run on Thursday, April 6). Any changes to the service will be updated on this website and the UTSU Instagram.
For 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 not currently recruiting volunteers. See the full volunteer posting here in March for summer 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 – Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lighthouse Food Bank
1008 Bathurst St,
Toronto ON, M5R 3G7
Hours of Operation: Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 1:00 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.