The 407 ETR has announced a $1 million donation to the Toronto Daily Bread Food Bank, aiming to address the escalating food insecurity crisis in the city. The contribution was made on Wednesday and is part of the company's annual One Big Day volunteer event, now in its ninth year.
Unprecedented Need
Neil Hetherington, CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank, highlighted the severity of the situation. "Food insecurity in Toronto has reached a level we haven't seen before, with more families turning to food banks just to get by," he said. "We're grateful to 407 ETR for their partnership and incredible generosity."
Statistics paint a grim picture: 22% of food bank clients spend all their income on housing, 88% live in unaffordable housing, 34% have gone an entire day without eating in the past year, and 53% have skipped a meal to pay for other necessities.
"At a time when costs have become overwhelming, this support will help thousands of people across our city put food on the table and ease some of the pressure families are facing," Hetherington added.
How the Funds Will Be Used
The donation will be used to purchase high-demand, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food for emergency food programs across Daily Bread's network of over 214 member agencies in Toronto.
Soaring Demand
Annual visits to Daily Bread have increased by 348% since 2019. In 2025 alone, 77,584 new clients accessed a member food bank for the first time. Daily Bread now spends approximately $29 million annually on food purchasing, compared to $1.5 million before the pandemic. During the 2024-2025 fiscal year, member agencies served 3.7 million client visits.
Corporate Commitment
Jose Espinosa, President and CEO of 407 ETR, emphasized the company's dedication. "One Big Day has always been about coming together to make a difference and rolling up our sleeves to serve our communities," he said. "This year, in addition to our team's volunteer efforts, we're proud to make a meaningful financial contribution to help address the urgent issue of food insecurity. With one in 10 Torontonians relying on food banks, our $1 million donation to Daily Bread will help expand access to food for individuals and families across the city."
