A grassroots effort to preserve the old Yonge-Dundas Square logo has resulted in a substantial donation to a Toronto food bank. Daniel Tate, founder of the political advocacy group IntegrityTO, announced that proceeds from T-shirt sales featuring the former square logo have reached $20,000, all of which will be donated to the Daily Bread Food Bank.
The donation comes after the City of Toronto sent a cease-and-desist letter to Tate, demanding he stop using the logo. Tate credited the Toronto Sun for its coverage of the legal threat, which he said sparked a surge in sales and made the larger donation possible.
A Symbol of Resistance
The T-shirts bear the old Yonge-Dundas Square logo, which was replaced when the square was renamed Sankofa Square in 2025. The renaming, part of a broader effort to remove the name of 18th-century politician Henry Dundas, has been controversial. Many Torontonians oppose the change, viewing the old logo as a symbol of the city's heritage.
Tate described the shirts as more than merchandise. "It's almost like if you wear this T-shirt, it tells the world you're a freethinker and you're not happy with the current leadership in your city," he said. "It's certainly a symbol that is galvanizing a lot of people."
Turning Controversy into Community Support
Neil Hetherington, CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, expressed gratitude for the donation, which he said could provide 20,000 meals. He noted that while the number of food bank users has stabilized, those who rely on it are doing so more heavily. The donation comes at a critical time, as demand for food assistance remains high.
Hetherington also emphasized the unifying potential of the donation. "We can all agree that everybody ought to be able to thrive in a community. Everybody ought to be able to have the food that they need," he said, adding that the food bank aims to bring people together despite differing political views.
Ongoing Sales and Future Donations
Tate declined to specify how many shirts have been sold but described sales as "high volume." He said he intends to continue selling the shirts and donating the profits to Daily Bread. The city has not been in recent contact regarding the logo's use, and Tate plans to keep the initiative going.
The Yonge-Dundas logo has become a political icon, representing opposition to the renaming and broader dissatisfaction with city leadership. Tate hopes the donation will show that even a contentious symbol can be used for good. "Ultimately, I'm just really happy that I was able to turn a negative into a positive," he said.
The $20,000 cheque will be presented at a ceremony on Monday at the Daily Bread Food Bank's Etobicoke facility.
