COVID-19 Community Appreciation

It is impossible at this time to recognize all of the individuals, organizations, companies and government departments who are supporting our efforts to provide critical human, social and cultural services to the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Toronto community during this unprecedented period of need. Eventually we hope to identify and thank all of those who have contributed to the well-being of our members and the community. In the meantime, we would like to make note of some of the humble heroes who are helping to build a healthier social and natural environment.

Yaw^ko Thanks!

Please Note: Some photos were taken prior to stricter guidelines being implemented with regards to face masks, gloves ans social distancing. Council Fire Staff and volunteers follow all current COVID-19 protocols to ensure their personal health and well-being as well as the health and safety of those with whom they engage.

ONGOING Donation of Chef prepared Meals
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. (MLSE) is Canada’s preeminent leader in delivering top quality sport and entertainment experiences to its fans. In conjunction with its partners, and Second Harvest (see below) they are looking to prepare 10,000 meals a day to go to Toronto’s front-line health-care workers and their families as well as the city’s most vulnerable via community agencies and shelters.
See Toronto Star article: https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2020/04/24/scotiabank-arena-turns-into-giant-kitchen-as-mlse-prepares-10000-meals-a-day-for-front-line-health-care-workers.html

ONGOING Delivery of Meals
Chi Miigwetch to community partners providing food relief to ensure our community remains fed. Red Dot Project delivered prepared meals to our Centre courtesy of Kitchen 24. We are so grateful for your support!

ONGOING Delivery of Delicious Sandwiches
Sandwhich Sisters continue to deliver deluxe and classic sandwiches that we include in our pick-up and front line worker meals. Photo on right: smoked chicken sambo with harrissa mayo and crunch leaves!

Donation of Prepared Meals

Calii Love: Everything they do starts and ends with their mission: spread positivity, inspire healthier communities, and deliver happiness — one person, one bowl, and one smile at a time. It’s food that tastes good and is good for you.

Council Fire shares the exciting meals with community members and our meals-on-wheels clients

ONGOING delivery of food staples

Evergreen Their work focuses on bringing people together to develop bolder visions for the future of Canadian communities and collaboratively working towards them.

Evergreen food donations are included in our meals-on-wheels and seniors delivery programs.

Bread / Bakery Donations

Blackbird Baking Co. has been making large deliveries of artisanal breads and bakery products. The breads are included in our foodbank and meal pick-ups as well as shared with our community partners.

St. Michael’s Hospital Toronto Giving Back to the Community

Above and beyond their own incredible and selfless work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the staff at St Michael’s Hospital has created a fund to support the efforts of community agencies including Toronto Council Fire.
Donate: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/st-michaels-hospital-toronto-giving-back-to-the-co/

Donation of Chocolates!

Giving away chocolates donated by United Way of Greater Toronto to our community members.

Photo of our colleague from the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (NCCT) with Alice and Masima, ready to distribute to Indigenous families across the city.

Donation and Delivery of Paper Bags

Having switched to a pick-up meal service due to COVID-19 and with our meals-on-wheels and food bank program we are often left short of environmentally safe containers to package our deliveries. icegreen donated a shipment of paper bags to Council Fire and FreightLine Carrier Systems provided free shipping!

Donation of Drinking Water Bottles

The City of Toronto donated a shipment of water bottles to the Centre to distribute to community members, program clients and partner organizations.

Donation of Cases of Soap

HUNTER is a Canadian Manufacturer based in Burlington Ontario. One of its goals is to give back to the community and wherever possible to help those in trying times.

Donation of Breads and Vegetables

The Epicure Shop is a family owned and operated deli and gourmet food shop that has been serving the Cabbagetown community for over 37 years. The shop offers fresh specialty breads, cheeses, meats, coffees and mouth watering desserts and pastries all served with a smile.

Donation of Soap and Body Washes

LUSH in Toronto and the wider GTA, has distributed products to 55 community organizations servicing the needs of women, children, senior citizens, immigrants and homeless communities. They have provided support to vulnerable communities in Vancouver and Toronto, where their manufacturing and head offices are based.

Donation of Hygiene Kits

Second Chance is a volunteer based initiative giving individuals a second chance. It was initiated to change the lives of people, both youth and adults, who have lost hope, reliable
connections and opportunities..

Donation of Surgical Masks, Latex Gloves and Hand Sanitizer

KNIX (Canadian Intimates Line). These products were made possible from the contribution of over 2,000 people who donated to a Knix GoFundMe campaign.

In Appreciation of our Good Neighbour

THE CITADEL + COMPAGNIE creates, produces and presents works on local, national and international scales from its home base in a former Salvation Army Citadel in Regent Park. ⁣
The Citadel Ross Centre for Dance opened in 2012 and has become a place where artists rehearse, create and perform, including our First Fire dancers. It’s also a place where our community has an opportunity to learn, explore and share humanity. www.citadelcie.com

COVID-19 Support

TASSC. The Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council is helping to navigate and direct community members to services provided by its member agencies which includes Toronto Council Fire. www.tassc.ca

Donation of Food Supplies to Council Fire Programs and Food Bank

DAILY BREAD Food Bank. From its 108,000 sq.ft. distribution hub, Daily Bread supplies food to nearly 200 food programs across Toronto with a fleet of five trucks.

Donation of Food Supplies

SECOND HARVEST. The largest food rescue organization in Canada and global thought leader on food recovery. We work across the supply chain from farm to retail to capture surplus food before it ends up in the landfill which negatively impacts our environment.

Donations of Milk Bags, Cream and Fresh Bread

PILOT Coffee Roasters. Almost all of its coffees follow a Direct Trade sourcing model by visiting the country of origin and purchasing beans directly from the growers.

Pizza Donations

Pizza Pizza Ltd. Store # 90. A donation of over 100 pizzas for our pick-up lunch service. With meat and vegetarian options to choose from, everyone appreciates a slice of “Za” or a pie on Friday!

Food Donations

Cooper Koo Family Centre, Cherry Street YMCA. A large donation of 1000 lbs of food staples and groceries received through food collections. Delivered to Council Fire to supply its food bank programs and it COVID-19 responses.

Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services

Donations of Hand Sanitizers

MCCSS. 2 boxes of hand sanitizers delivered for the use of Council Fire staff and MCCSS program clients.

Fresh Produce, Vegetables, Bread and other Food Items

THE REX Jazz & Blues Bar is Toronto’s longest running jazz club and is host to some of the Canada’s and the world’s finest musicians. The Hotel has its boutique style front door on Queen St.