Weston locals can visit this new food bank in an apartment building

How would your life change if there were a food bank in your local apartment building?

That’s the question we’re asking because a new food bank just opened up in one of the units at 5 Bellevue Cres. in Weston. 

So, tenants and West End community members don’t have to imagine.

On June 16, the food bank’s opening day, people lined up in the hallway to register for Midaynta-Bellevue Food Bank’s services. 

The new food bank is open once a week on Tuesdays, with food donated through the Daily Bread Food Bank and operated by the Midaynta organization. The food is meant to last each registered member three days.

Midaynta is a community services organization that has been offering youth and community programming since 1993. It also provides settlement services and educational programs like courses, seminars, counselling and other support services for refugees, immigrants and youth in need.

Youth outreach and food bank coordinator Ruweida Hassan shared that the food bank gave out all their food after being open for an hour and a half, serving about 100 customers.

Customers were able to get fresh produce, protein and various hygiene products.

The idea for a new food bank in Weston began after the Midaynta team noticed, through their work at their other food bank (Midaynta-Capri Food Bank), that many people from Weston were commuting to the Islington neighbourhood just to get food.

“It just made sense to open this location here,” said Hassan.

To have a food bank located in an apartment removes so many barriers, said Daniel Moore, Daily Bread Food Bank member services manager.

“Sometimes folks are nervous to travel somewhere, to go to a different community, so being able to access it within your own space is crucial,” he says. “…[It] makes it so much more accessible, to not even have to go outside, just come down the elevator, down the hall and get your food.”

Hassan’s goal is for the food bank to provide more than just food. She wants to help people figure out what benefits are available to them, teach them about nutrition and more.

If you’d like to get involved, the food bank is always looking for volunteers or donations to keep its programming running. If you have any questions about the food bank, you can reach out to Hassan directly.