Weston Area Emergency Support (WAES)

Registered Name: WESTON AREA EMERGENCY SUPPORT

Business No: 119295202RR0001

WAES has been serving the York South Weston community since 1986, most recently from its location at 1 King St.

about

Overview:

October 2023 was the busiest month in our history. We had 3,131 visits, which is 37% more than last year. We averaged over 2,750 visits per month since June. The numbers, and need, are just staggering. WAES has had to increase our spending on food from $10K in Jan to $20K in September. This increase is driven by the price of food, the increase in the number of people requiring assistance and the decrease in food donations. WAES is struggling to ensure everybody that needs our help can receive food hampers 2x per month. The hampers include milk, eggs, fresh produce, protein and other non-perishables like rice and tuna.

Of those served 32% were children under 18, and 13% were seniors over 65. Forty percent of those coming for help live in households of 5 or more people. Imagine trying to feed a household that large on minimum wage? We have seen many families merge so that 8 or 9 people are living in one 2-bedroom apartment. We have seen an increase in Ukrainian families, as well as many people who have never needed the support of a food bank. Recently a woman told us “You don’t realize how much you have helped me. I fled an abusive situation and needed help to feed my daughter and myself. You were there and it meant a lot.”

MISSION:

WAES will provide food support to those in the Weston - Mount Dennis Community and offers support without judgment. WAES will welcome community members from all backgrounds and walks of life. WAES will respect all who come through our doors, both community members and volunteers

Hours of operation

Open for Clients: Tuesday and Friday from 8:30AM to 11AM
Call for appointment: 416-247-3737

Service Area:

WAES has a catchment area that runs from the 401 in the north, Black Creek Drive in the east, Eglinton to the south and Royal York Rd to the west.

Services

Basic emergency food bank offering help to those in need. Community members may come twice per month for groceries.

Community members must reside within WAES catchment.

Community members receive a food hamper that should help for approximately 4 days. Available food includes milk, eggs, protein, fresh produce as well as canned meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta, sauces, protein beans, juice and cereal. Food availability is subject to donations.

WAES has 1 paid employee, and over 40 active and dedicated volunteers. We exist with the support of the community, local schools, faith organizations, businesses and individuals. All support is greatly appreciated by our volunteers, and our community.

Statistics:

The community members that access food support from WAES are:

Children under 18 (32%)
Women (54%).
Seniors (13% - up from 8% pre-COVID)
Those that came to WAES in 2022 for the first time (46%).
51% of the adults and 19% of the children who get food support are going hungry at least once per week.

(#1-4 WAES Stats from our Link2Feed system, #5 from Daily Bread’s 2019 “Who’s Hungry” survey, last date available)

Support:

WAES continues to be supplied weekly by the North York Harvest and Second Harvest organizations. These two organizations help us keep our shelves filled with canned goods, milk and fresh and frozen food. They supply us with about 20% of our total food. WAES continues to increase the amount of food purchased due to the increase in need, a decrease in food donations and the increased cost of food.

Many individuals donate money, while others donate food. We would not be able to do the work we do without your generous donations. Thank you for walking with us on this journey.

REGISTERED CHARITY ADDRESS

1 KING ST

YORK, ON, M9N 1K8

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