José joined the Teesdale Food Bank Peer Worker program to help others and himself
Food insecurity is reaching alarming levels. Almost 25% of households in Toronto struggle with food insecurity. Programs like TNGCS’ Teesdale Food Bank help with the immediate need. But recently, the Food Bank has started looking at long-term solutions to the double-edged sword of poverty and hunger. One of these is its peer worker program.
Funded by The Ontario Trillium Foundation, the peer program at the Food Bank supports people with lived experience of food insecurity by offering training, employment, and the opportunity to give back to their community. That improves their potential for full-time employment and reduces their need for food banks. For people like José, it’s an essential step on his journey.
“I was the caregiver for my mom for 15 years. She needed full-time help and I had to do everything for her. Because of that, I had to go on social assistance. The Food Bank was a big help. Once I was able, I started volunteering there as a way to give back, then signed up to be a peer worker.
“As a peer I get to help others. I’ve seen a lot of neighbours helping each other out. You notice the sense of community. I want their experience to be a good one when they come into the Food Bank. Most people are down on their luck, and it’s difficult – they don’t want to be there. But it’s good to be met with a smile. Moving forward, I want to become a social worker and help people like I’ve been doing here.”
José’s story is just one of the many that highlights the success of peer workers at the Food Bank. In fact, last November, the program was nominated for the Daily Bread Food Bank’s Best in Class award for profound community impact.
79,609 meals were provided by the Food Bank to people in the Teesdale community last year