The journey towards a quiet life and a more stable future brought Svitlana and her family to Toronto in 2000. Following a terrible tragedy, she feared for the lives of her husband and daughter in their Ukrainian homeland.<\/p>\n
Violence was making the country unsafe, and when a family friend shared that Canada is a welcoming, friendly place, the decision to move was made. However, life in their new home soon presented its own set of challenges.<\/p>\n
In 2002, Svitlana’s husband was diagnosed with cancer, and the following year, Svitlana herself was found to have thyroid cancer. Not long after that, she also discovered she had celiac disease, requiring a strict gluten-free diet and presenting new hurdles to navigate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt got really difficult for me, and I didn\u2019t have enough money to buy proper food,\u201d Svitlana says. \u201cI was not diagnosed yet, and I was trying different types of food. Everything was expensive and I needed to buy medication and supplements.\u201d<\/p>\n
Struggling with her health and the financial burdens, Svitlana sought help from The Salvation Army Yorkminster Citadel in 2004, and a new journey began.<\/p>\n
Unique Food Bank Model<\/strong><\/p>\n Yorkminster Citadel\u2019s food bank service delivery evolved during the pandemic when close contact was not allowed, says community and family services manager Liz Colley. Staff came up with the innovative idea of a checklist of in-stock food bank items that lets recipients know exactly what is available.<\/p>\n Sitting with the family to fill out the checklist also gives Liz the chance to learn of any additional needs they may have. This could include support in their job search, assistance with immigration issues, filing tax returns, or help with clothing.<\/p>\n \u201cYorkminster assists between 50 and 65 families each week, and even though the number of families has increased by 150 per cent, I don\u2019t want to lose that personal contact,\u201d Liz says, \u201cbecause that\u2019s where I can build long-lasting relationships with families.\u201d<\/p>\n