DRPS' 36th Annual Food & Toy Drive

That’s a wrap on the 36th Annual DRPS Food and Toy Drive and we are grateful for the continued overwhelming support from our communities, citizens and corporate sponsors who helped us provide food and toys to thousands of families this holiday season. Throughout the drive, we heard many comments from members of the public that expressed gratitude for our members and the work being done by the Food and Toy Drive team.

Over four and a half weeks, thousands of pounds of food and toys were collected from donors across Durham Region and brought to various community agencies who distributed them to the community. 

The demand for food and Christmas hampers was much higher this year, with the increased cost for food and costs of living. More families needed assistance, and our community came together to help as much as possible. Many of our partnering agencies experienced more than a 25 per cent increase in demand which included clients that have not accessed a food bank before.

This year we had 21 new donors join us, and we are grateful to have so many that work with us to help others around our region, along with these major donors such as: Phoenix A.M.D. International, Ontario Power Generation Darlington, Mississaugas of Scugog First Nation Maada’ookii Committee, Swish Whitby, Williams Communications, CanAtom Power Group RFR Teamster Local 203, Scotiabank Durham Branches, Gus Brown Dealership, Black & McDonald, Region of Durham Works Department, Canadian Progress Club Durham South, various PetSmart locations and McDonalds.

There were a total of 132 donation drop-off locations, including all DRPS police divisions, local firehalls, schools, and local businesses. Our team of committed volunteers completed over 480 donation pickups, which in turn, resulted in over 430 deliveries to various community support agencies, charities and not-for-profit organizations.  These partnerships with various community-based support services ensure that we reach as many of those who are in need throughout Durham Region.  In total, we travelled close to 9,000 kilometres across the Region.

It goes without saying that we could not do what we do without the Food & Toy Drive vehicles which are loaned to us from local dealerships.  We would like to extend a special thank you to our long supporting dealerships, including Mercedes-Benz Durham, Ontario Motor Sales, Fraser Auto Group, Marigold Ford & Lincoln, and Durham Kia. Additionally, we want to thank Durham Region Transit for assisting us in delivering some of our large donations.

DRPS was able to help and/or support more than 58 organizations including food banks and 28 retirement and long-term care homes and Lakeridge Health, for a total of 86.  Thanks to all of the stuffed animals donated through customer purchases at four participating Whitby, Oshawa, and Pickering PetSmart locations, approximately 4,895 stuffed animals were delivered to a total of 48 locations, including nursing homes, local hospitals, and community support agencies.  This is nearly double the amount of stuffies that were donated last year.

A huge thank you to everyone in the community who attended these events and donated over the holiday season to help others, despite many experiencing difficult times themselves.  We look forward to seeing what the 37th Food and Toy Drive will bring.