How we help people in need

What's in a hamper

Every hamper is packed by trained volunteers and planned to cover several days of healthy meals. We adjust the contents to the size of your household and do our best to respect dietary and cultural needs.

• Fresh food: seasonal fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, milk and cheese when available.
• Pantry staples: rice, pasta, lentils, beans, flour, cooking oil, canned fish and vegetables, cereal and peanut-free snacks for school lunches.
• Special needs: halal, vegetarian, gluten-free and diabetic-friendly options on request.
• Extras: baby formula, diapers, menstrual products and personal hygiene kits when you ask for them.

Who can receive a hamper

Anyone who is struggling to afford food can come to us — individuals, families, students, seniors, newcomers and people between jobs. You do not need to show pay stubs or bank statements. We simply ask for your name, the number of people in your home and any food allergies so we can pack the right hamper.

How to get a hamper

• Step 1: Call +1 844-643-9390 or send us a message through the contact form.
• Step 2: A team member will register you in a short, friendly phone call (about 10 minutes).
• Step 3: Pick up your hamper on your scheduled day — or ask about home delivery if you can't travel.

Who the service is for

• Seniors who live alone or find it hard to go out, especially in snow and ice.
• People living with a disability, chronic illness or recovering from surgery.
• New parents, single parents and families without a car.
• Anyone in self-isolation or temporarily unable to leave home.

More than a delivery

Our drivers are often the only visitor someone sees all week. Every driver is trained to carry groceries inside if needed, take a few minutes to chat, and notice if something seems wrong. If a client seems unwell, confused or without heat, the driver lets our support team know so we can follow up the same day.

How it works

• Sign up: you, a family member, a doctor or a social worker can refer someone for delivery.
• Choose a day: we set a regular weekly delivery window that suits you.
• Stay in touch: your driver will call before arriving, and you can pause or change deliveries anytime.

Become a volunteer driver

If you have a valid local driver's licence, a reliable vehicle and a few hours a week, you can make a huge difference. We provide training, mileage support and flexible shifts that fit around work or school.

What we offer

• Friendly check-in calls: a trained volunteer calls you once or twice a week to talk, listen and see how you're doing.
• Peer support circles: small, relaxed group meetings (in person and online) for people facing similar challenges, such as caregivers, newcomers or people living alone.
• Stress and wellbeing workshops: practical sessions on managing stress, sleep, budgeting worries and coping with winter blues.
• Help finding professional care: we connect you with free or low-cost counselling, family doctors and community mental health services in your area.

Who it's for

This program is open to adults of any age who feel overwhelmed, lonely or stressed. Many of the people we support are seniors living alone, newcomers far from family, caregivers, and people coping with the loss of a job or a loved one. You don't need a diagnosis — you only need to want someone to talk to.

Important: if you are in crisis

Our team is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number (911 in Canada and the US). If you are thinking about suicide or are worried about someone, in Canada you can call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, any time, day or night. In other countries, please contact your local emergency number or national crisis line.

What happens at a camp

• Hot meals and take-home groceries prepared by volunteers.
• Clothing and winter gear: coats, boots, mitts, toques and blankets — especially before the cold season.
• Health and benefits information: help understanding government benefits, tax filing clinics, and information from local health partners.
• Newcomer support: guidance on settling in a new country, finding services and connecting with community groups.
• Kids' corner: games, crafts, reading and school-supply giveaways so parents can take a moment to connect.

Our seasonal camps

Winter Warmth Camps focus on warm clothing, hot meals and checking on people who may be at risk in extreme cold. Spring and Summer Community Days bring families together outdoors with barbecues, games and health information. Back-to-School Camps in late August give children backpacks and supplies before the school year begins. Holiday Camps in December share festive meals and gifts with families who might otherwise go without.

Find a camp near you

Camps are held regularly in every city where we work — see our Where We Work page. Call us or send a message, and we'll let you know the date and location of the next camp in your area.

Most-needed items

• Canned fish and meat (tuna, salmon, chicken), peanut butter and canned beans.
• Rice, pasta, pasta sauce, lentils, oats and whole-grain cereal.
• Canned vegetables, fruit and soups (low-sodium if possible).
• Baby food, infant formula and diapers.
• Toothpaste, soap, shampoo and menstrual products.

Please avoid

For everyone's safety, we can't accept expired food, opened or homemade items, alcohol, or anything in damaged or bulging cans. Fresh food from grocery stores and farms is welcome, but please call first so we can arrange cold storage.

Ways to donate food

• Drop off: bring donations to any of our city hubs during office hours.
• Request a pick-up: for 10 boxes or more, our drivers will collect donations for free.
• Run a drive: we'll send your school, office, faith group or sports team a free drive kit with posters, collection-box labels and tips.
• Businesses & farms: partner with us to donate surplus food instead of throwing it away.

Our education support at home

• Back-to-school backpacks: filled with notebooks, pencils, calculators and other grade-appropriate supplies.
• After-school homework clubs: safe, supervised spaces with a healthy snack, where volunteers help with reading, math and assignments.
• One-to-one tutoring: screened volunteer tutors, including university students and retired teachers, help children who are falling behind.
• Support for newcomer children: extra reading and language help for kids new to the country.
• Devices and internet help: refurbished laptops for families who don't have a computer at home, when available.

Our partner school program in India

Many of our supporters have family roots in India, and together we wanted to extend our reach. Through a small partner program, we help provide school supplies, uniforms and nutritious midday meals to children in under-resourced communities, so they can stay in school and focus on learning. Every dollar is tracked, and we share regular updates with donors.

How parents can sign up

Parents and guardians can register a child for any of our education programs by calling us or sending a message. We'll ask a few simple questions about your child's age, grade and what kind of help would be most useful.