Hope Food Basket: A Ministry of Compassion and Hope
Posted: June 23rd, 2026
“Hope Food Basket” happens every 3rd week on Tuesday and Saturday starting in July.
I remember driving through my community and noticing a long lineup, thinking it must be some new trend among young people. But as I looked more closely, I realised it was a food bank distributing food every Thursday. It was different from what I expected—just regular, everyday people who sometimes cannot afford basic necessities or who have to choose between paying rent and buying groceries. According to the Daily Bread Food Bank, food bank visits in Toronto hit an all-time high of 4.1 million last year, more than half a million higher than the year before and a staggering 340% increase since 2019.[i]
In Matthew 25:35, it says, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in.” As Christians, we are blessed with the opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in need. When we do so selflessly, without expecting anything in return or seeking recognition, we demonstrate true love for God and for others. That is why Hope Food Basket was born—from faithful volunteers who desire to be like Christ and are committed to making a difference.
Our journey began at our first Community Service meeting in 2025, when a small group from the Community Services Department of Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church felt called to make a real difference. The Lord inspired them to start a mobile food bank, Hope Food Basket, in the York South–Weston area, a community facing significant socioeconomic challenges. They partnered with Whitby Food Bank to provide food twice a week to church members and residents of the Falstaff community. They also collaborated with Toronto Community Housing to establish a food distribution site at 30 Falstaff.
Since then, we have had the privilege of supporting more than 60 families each month. We also provide food to more than 60 church members and other community residents through distributions at the church. As the need continues to grow, we are reaching out for additional food partners and donations to help expand our efforts. We are deeply grateful to God for all He has done so far, and we look forward with faith and excitement to all He has planned for us in the future.
Angelic Manning
Hope Seventh Day Adventist Church
Photos courtesy of Leo Campbell.
[i] Who’s hungry report | research | daily bread. (n.d.). https://www.dailybread.ca/research-and-advocacy/research/whos-hungry-report/