As Provincial Funding Runs Dry, Organizations Tackling Food Insecurity in Black Creek Await Budget Decision

BY: AYESHA KHAN

On Friday March 12 2021, community organization Remember the 400 joined forces with the Afri-Can Food Basket, Lumacare, ATU Local 113, the Jane Finch Centre and other partners to distribute 450 food hampers, called Freedom Baskets, as well as COVID-19 vaccine information in the Jane-Finch Community. Emergency food supports have been a vital supplement to the Jane-Finch community during the COVID-19 pandemic. While food insecurity was already a problem in the community before the pandemic, lockdown measures and job losses have greatly exacerbated this existing equity issue. 

Some frontline organizations have been working since the beginning of the pandemic to bring food to residents, but advocates say this isn’t enough. Provincial supports have had to be supplemented by non profits, as community workers and advocates say the provincial funding did not go far enough. 

“Not only is it not enough money currently, it’s running out.” Said Michelle Dagnino, Executive Director of the Jane Finch Centre, of the temporary provincial emergency funding ending on March 31st. 

Doreen Simpson, president of the organization hosting the event, Remember the 400, stressed the need for such a measure and the collaboration between the organizations to fill that need. 

Doreen Simpson, President of Remember the 400 holds down signage for their Freedom Basket food initiative during Friday's winds. (Photo credit: Ayesha Khan)

According to Zakiya Tafari of the Afri-Can Food Basket, he has concerns for the gaps in food access. 

“24% of Toronto’s Afro Caribbean and Black households are food insecure.” Said Tafari of the situation. “Many food programs that people accessed, especially seniors, have been shut down. It’s hard for them to get access.”

He also spoke of the importance of said supports including fresh, culturally-specific produce—something the Afri-Can Food Basket has been working to do. 

The food hampers were distributed by a number of volunteers, including those from Toronto’s Transit Union, ATU Local 113. Carlos Santos, president, was on site as well helping load and deliver the hampers during Friday’s windy spell. 

“A sign fell on our van!” He recounted of the day’s difficulty, and the persistence needed to weather the event. “We live and work in the communities we serve.” ATU Local 113 was also on site over the winter holidays to help with food distribution, and have a deep connection to the local community. 

In attendance was also local MPP for Humber River-Black Creek, Tom Rakocevic. Rakocevic has long been an advocate for working class families, having grown up in the Jane-Finch community as a tenant himself.  “The work of our local non-profit organizations provides much-needed help to many local families.” Said Rakocevic at the event. “The Ford government must provide adequate and consistent long-term funding to these organizations for an equitable post-COVID recovery.” 

ATU Local 113 members including President Carlos Santos help load and unload hampers to be delivered in the Black Creek Community. (Photo credit: Ayesha Khan)

The Jane Finch Centre and other organizations relying on provincial funding to support community residents await Ontario’s budget decision, which will be announced on March 24th. 

“All the funding we have been tapping into has been emergency COVID-19 funding. We haven’t been able to tap into any long-term poverty reduction funding.” Said Michelle Dagnino of the situation. “The need has existed long before COVID. We need a long-term strategy. It cannot be dependent on individual charities hosting one day events.”