The Georgetown Lions Club is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Bread Basket (GBB), Your Local Food Bank has been selected as the Georgetown Citizens of the Year!While this award usually is given to an individual the GBB was selected due to its...
The Georgetown Lions Club is pleased to announce that the Georgetown Bread Basket (GBB), Your Local Food Bank has been selected as the Georgetown Citizens of the Year! While this award usually is given to an individual the GBB was selected due to its positive impact on the community and it recognizes the great number of volunteers that come together to provide help for those facing food insecurity.
The Georgetown Bread Basket will be honoured by the Lions Club at the awards dinner Tuesday March 25, 2025 at the Mold Masters Sportsplex at 6:30pm. Tickets are $50.00 each and may be ordered by email aadepoju33@gmail.com or 416-400-2913.
About this years recipient:
GBB was established in November 1996 and registered as charity on July 23, 1997. The increasing needs of the community have resulted in changing locations three times to meet the demand. Now located at 49B Mountainview Road North, GBB has the capacity to receive and distribute food needed for its growing client base. The GBB is currently feeding over 700 individuals per month. The number of people relying on GBB has skyrocketed from 3,417 annual visits per year in 2022 to 5,868 in 2024 a 72% increase. Many of the clients have jobs but with inflation and static wages cannot make ends meet.
GBB clients must register to be able to shop at the GBB and live in the Georgetown area including, Norval, Hornby, Limehouse, Ballinafad and Glen Williams however homeless people may also register. Clients are welcomed three days per week and can shop every two weeks, unlike other food banks the clients can actually shop for food as they select that they need and like.
GBB relies on dedicated volunteers to sort, solicit food and donations, assist clients shopping and do the administrative work. Volunteers pack up donations, sort the food and do community outreach
There is NO PAID staff at GBB a remarkable achievement. In 2024 volunteers contributed almost 25,000 hours of volunteer service including board members.
“I am in awe in the amount of constant work and dedication that it takes to manage the GBB each year by a total work force of volunteers. I am totally impressed with the meticulous care that is shown to the clients. Personal needs such as food allergies are taken into consideration” wrote Marilyn Serjeanston former COTY in her nomination letter.
The success of the operation depends on the generosity of the community both individuals and businesses that consistently provide food and cash donations 52 weeks of the year. Our community continues to support so many charitable causes in Georgetown and the Lions Club are proud of our small part in this ongoing work.
