Ontario Distribution Centre is The Salvation Army’s Food Security Hub

Across Ontario, The Salvation Army’s community and family service programs support anyone in need, ensuring local residents, shelter clients and new Canadian families and children have the basic necessities to live life with dignity.

At the heart of those programs is the Ontario Distribution Centre (ODC) in Toronto, sending food, clothing, personal care and hygiene products, children’s toys and housewares for people in need. The ODC delivers hope for a safe, healthy, comfortable future to more than 50 Salvation Army food banks in the province and 17 shelters in the Greater Toronto Area.

A small but dedicated hardworking staff at ODC, with a committed team of volunteers, called Happiness Agents, sort, prepare and ship bundles of goods every day for delivery to Salvation Army locations from Kitchener to Kingston, to Huntsville in the north, and across Greater Toronto and Hamilton to reduce the number of people at risk of food insecurity in Ontario.

In February and March 2023 alone, the ODC shipped over 385,400 pounds of food and 200,000 pounds of clothing to Ministry Units throughout Ontario.

Between April 2022 and March 2023, a total of 3.12 million pounds of food, 119,000 toys and 152 skids of clothes were sent out by the ODC to ensure Ministry Units are able to bring help to local residents.

Julie Santilli is the project supervisor at ODC, responsible for training and managing volunteers and filling non-food requests from Ministry Units. Even though staff never get to meet the clients they assist, Julie feels like she knows them personally.

“I am giving a little bit of love by wrapping a bow around each item. Everything I prepare I think about who it is going to help. I connect with them deeply and send love from the staff and the donors to those who will be so full of joy and happiness,” Julie says.

“The faces and the hearts are here, and this building is filled with the love of all the people we serve.”

Handing the logistics of getting the food and product into the hands of clients is the job of supply chain manager John Ridout and supply chain supervisor Rory Sheasby. With four drivers behind the wheel of the fleet of six large trucks and four small trucks, John and Rory plan and schedule trucks and drivers to efficiently equip Ministry Units and pick up donations from our valued Salvation Army service partners.

“Our drivers are the face of The Salvation Army and the ODC when they are picking up and delivering to Ministry Units. That is the best part of being a driver,” Rory explains.

“They get to see the happy faces of the people they are delivering to when they receive food and other goods. That is one of the blessings of that position and our drivers are fantastic.”

Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, John says the food sorting process has been simplified and streamlined.

“We are not purchasing food. Everything we receive is reliant on free donations and the kindness of strangers. It is a challenge to keep up with demand, and with rising food costs, people are having difficulty putting food on the table,” John says.

“During COVID there was an excess of supply and overstock in malls and stores that found its way to ODC, but now demand is on the uptick. We are seeing fewer donations coming in, but the need has increased.”

Companies and organizations with excess product or food to donate to ODC and The Salvation Army can contact Pat at Pat.Labuick@salvationarmy.ca. Individuals and corporate volunteer groups are always needed year-round to help sort food, clothing, housewares and school supplies, as well as toys during the Christmas season. For more information on volunteer opportunities, Julie can be contacted at Julie.Santilli@salvationarmy.ca.