BAPS Charities donated more than 66,200 pounds (33.1 tons) of non-perishable food items to local food banks across Canada during the months of November and December 2025. Volunteers organized food drives in seven provinces to provide vital support to families and individuals facing food insecurity. This initiative reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to alleviating hunger during a time of unprecedented need.
Rising costs for food, housing, fuel, and transportation continue to place immense pressure on Canadians. Children, single mothers, international students, and seniors are among those most affected, with many struggling to afford even basic necessities like food. Nearly 25% of Canadians live in food-insecure households, and this number continues to rise.
This includes individuals like Areeb, who lost his job due to cut backs and turned to the Daily Bread Food Bank for support, who shared: “ For three or four months, the food bank helped me get through one of the most difficult times of my life. It gave me stability so I could focus on rebuilding my career without the constant stress of worrying about my next meal. I plan to help sort food at the food bank and give back in any way I can.”
The food banks supported by BAPS Charities included:
Alberta:
– Calgary Food Bank
– Edmonton Food Bank
British Columbia:
– Deltassist Family and Community Services Society
Manitoba:
– Harvest Manitoba
– Samaritan House Ministry Inc.
Nova Scotia:
– Feed Nova Scotia
Ontario:
– ACSA Community Services
– Cambridge Food Bank
– Daily Bread Food Bank
– Free For All Community Services
– Hamilton Food Share
– Kanata Food Cupboard
– Knights Table (Brampton Food Hub)
– The Downtown Mission of Windsor
Quebec:
– On Rock Community Services
Saskatchewan:
– Regina Food Bank
– Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre
Councillor Michael Thompson, City of Toronto posted on social media, “Grateful to BAPS Charities for their generosity this holiday season! Together, we supported our community with a donation of 5 tonnes of non-perishable food to Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA), helping families and individuals experiencing food insecurity this Christmas. We encourage other businesses and organizations to step up and give back. Your support can make a real difference in our community.”
Leaura da Mota, Development Officer, Corporate and Community Partnerships at Daily Bread Food Bank said, “ Thank you for your incredible efforts to bring hope to our neighbours experiencing food insecurity. Sadly, food bank visits have reached crisis levels in our city. Last year, there were over 4.1 million client visits at Daily Bread member food banks – a 340% increase since before the pandemic. Like you, we believe that food is a human right, and no one should face barriers in accessing the healthy food they need. Your 2025 food drive raised an amazing 17,623 lbs. of non-perishable food donations in support of Daily Bread Food Bank. This will go on to provide much needed relief to individuals and families seeking access through Daily Bread’s network of 214 food and meal programs…Daily Bread simply could not provide hope and access to nutritious food while advocating for solutions to end poverty without you. We look forward to the continued success of this meaningful partnership. “
Hon. John Zerucelli, Secretary of State (Labour) and MP for Etobicoke North, posted on social media, “Proud to join BAPS for their annual food drive. BAPS Charities continues to be a pillar of service in our community — year after year, showing what compassion in action truly looks like. Thank you to BAPS and every neighbour who donated. This is community at its best.”
Karamat Jameel, Logistics Coordinator at Brampton Food Hub said, “On behalf of Knights Table and Brampton Food Hub, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous donation of 10,512 pounds of non-perishable food items. With the current economic challenges and job losses in Peel Region, more individuals and families than ever are turning to us for support. Your contribution through BAPS Charities allows us to provide food to thousands of vulnerable community members in a safe and welcoming environment. Your generosity is not only meeting immediate needs but also bringing hope to those facing difficult times. We deeply value your support and look forward to continuing this partnership to make a lasting difference in the lives of many people in need. Thank you once again for helping us impact lives and strengthen our community.”
Amarjeet Gill, MP for Brampton West, posted on social media, “Community isn’t just where we live — it’s how we take care of each other. Thank you to BAPS Charities for leading these charity initiatives that bring people together and support families who need it most. Together, we build a safer, stronger, and more caring Brampton West.”
Kayla Reid, Executive Director at On Rock Community Services said, “We are truly grateful for your support over the past few years. Your generosity makes a meaningful impact on the families and individuals we serve in our community.”
Deepak Anand, MPP for Mississauga-Malton, said, “I would like to extend my heartfelt thank you to the BAPS Charities for organizing the Annual Food Drive Donation Event. Your commitment to supporting our community truly makes a difference.”
Sheref Sabawy, MPP for Mississauga-Erin Mills, said, “Your hard work, leadership, and commitment have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others and have greatly contributed to the strength, unity, and prosperity of our community.”
Ashley Routhier-Evans, Community Food Drive and Events Associate at Harvest Manitoba said, “Thank you so much for your gift of 1708 pounds of food to feed families. Because of you, children and parents won’t have to hope for food, they’ll have it. Thank you also for understanding the terrible choices our friends and neighbours are making between buying school supplies or prescription medication, and putting nutritious food on their table. No one should ever have to make these decisions, and you’ve ensured fewer people have to.”
Councillor Vincent Crisanti, City of Toronto, posted on social media, “I always support community organizations that help secure food safety for people. Congratulations to BAPS Charities for organizing an event on November 14, 2025, to mark the conclusion of their nationwide food drive at the BAPS complex.…Hosted at 17 different BAPS Charities Centres across the country, this drive had the motto, ‘In the joy of others, lies our own’.”
Edmonton’s Food Bank shared on social media, “BAPS Charities Edmonton conducted a food drive to coincide with Diwali and they raised over 1,000 pounds to help our community! Thank YOU to everyone who donated! We appreciate your support.”
Winston Mapp Sr., Director and Past President of Free For All Community Service said, “Thank you BAPS Charities for standing with us in our mission to support individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. This holiday season, you have made an extraordinary impact through your generosity, providing over 2,500 pounds of food for our community. Your continued support brings comfort, dignity, and nourishment to those who need it most. Every pound of food donated is a lifeline, and we are profoundly grateful for your unwavering commitment to helping our neighbours in need. Your compassion continues to inspire us and strengthens our ability to serve with purpose and hope.”
Yogesh Patel, President of BAPS Charities Canada, expressed gratitude for the collective efforts that made this nationwide initiative possible. “Through this food drive, we collectively committed to reaching out to the widest and most diverse communities across Canada, ensuring support reaches those most in need. This year, our volunteers truly went the extra mile, setting out to surpass last year’s collection of 43,000 pounds, and together we increased the total by over 23,000 pounds. This donation reflects the true spirit of service and unity that defines BAPS Charities. We sincerely thank our volunteers, especially the youth, our supporters, and our partners for their dedication and compassion. We also encourage all communities to continue supporting people in need or to join BAPS Charities in its ongoing efforts by supporting the many projects and initiatives that uplift and strengthen communities across the country.”
This donation not only provides immediate relief to food banks but also serves as a call to action for organizations and individuals across Canada to support local food banks. It embodies the spirit of giving and community care that defines the holiday season. Beyond food drives, BAPS Charities is committed to serving society and communities in diverse fields such as medical, environmental, community, educational, and humanitarian services.
