November 19, 1999
To: Community Services Committee
From: Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
Subject: Food Related Capital Grants - Final Allocations
Purpose:
To report on the use of the 1999 Food Related Captial Grants Program and request approval for two food related capital
grant requests.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
An amount of $100,000.00 has been set aside within the approved 1999 Consolidated Grants Budget for this program. To
date, $54,650.00 of the budget has been allocated. This report recommends the allocation of $42,000.00, resulting in a total
expenditure of $96,650.00.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) an allocation of $25,000.00 be made to the All Saints Church Community Centre for food related capital costs
associated with the Toronto Friendship Centre;
(2) an allocation of $5,000.00 be made to the Open Door Centre and Rooms Registry Service;
(3) an allocation of $12,000.00 be made to the Yonge Street Mission pending submission of the required documentation;
and
(4) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
Background:
At the Budget Committee meeting of April 6, 7 and 8, 1999, it was directed that "$100,000.00 be ear marked in the
Consolidated Grants Budget for the express purpose of providing capital funding, on a one-time only basis, for the
purchase of refrigerators, ovens, etc., on an emergency basis for volunteers providing food to the homeless, the said
funding to be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services." This direction was
approved by Council as part of the 1999 approved Operating Budget. On June 9, 1999, Council approved the report titled
"Allocation Criteria for a Food Related Capital Grants Program," (Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, Clause No.
15, Report No. 10) which established the guidelines for the administration of the food related capital funding. One of the
administrative requirements recommended was that requests for funding in excess of $1,000.00 be forwarded to the
Community Services Committee and Council for approval.
Comments:
A total of twelve requests for funding were received. Appendix "A" provides a list of the requests. Of the twelve requests,
five were for amounts of $1,000.00 or less and therefor approved by the Commissioner upon review and recommendation
from staff. Six of the requests were for funding in excess of $1,000.00, three of which have been approved by Council and
three of which are recommended in this report. The three requests recommended here were reviewed by staff of the Social
Development and Administration and Public Health Divisions and meet all criteria for funding under the Food Related
Capital Grants Program. The final request was incomplete and is not recommended for funding.
Toronto Friendship Centre:
The Toronto Friendship Centre, located in the All Saints Community Church, is a drop-in program providing critical
services to people who are homeless and socially isolated in the east Downtown area. Funding has been requested to
purchase two commercial microwaves, freezers, refrigerators, one stove, and the required electrical upgrading. Currently,
the Centre does not have the capacity to store the significant food donations currently being received. In addition to the
food service provided to drop-in users, the Centre recently received funding from the United Way of Greater Toronto and
the F.K. Morrow Foundation to support the development of a community kitchen program for individuals living in local
rooming houses.
Open Door Centre and Rooms Registry:
The Open Door Centre and Rooms Registry has worked with low income homeless and underhoused people for over 25
years. A major part of the Centres program is the food bar which offers very low cost nutritious food from 8 am to 4 p.m.
The Centre has requested funds to replace a commercial gas stove which was donated to the agency 17 years ago.
The Yonge Street Mission - Evergreen Centre for Street Youth:
The Evergreen Centre provides service to over 5,000 different street youth each year. The Centre is requesting funding to
purchase a walk in freezer as a part of a broader program initiative to renovate and expand the kitchen facilities and
subsequently expand its food programs. The capital funding will enable the Centre to leverage other fundraising income
and increase the quality and level of food services.
The allocation to the Yonge Street Mission will be held pending receipt of documentation establishing an exemption from
the Ontario Human Rights Commission regarding hiring policies.
Conclusions:
The Food Related Capital Fund provided funding to 11 community based agencies providing food related programing to
people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This report recommends the final three allocations under the
Fund.
The Food Related Capital Fund was established by Council as a one time initiative and has not been included in the 2000
Consolidated Grants budget request.
Contact:
Chris Brillinger
Manager, Community Resources
Phone: 392-8608
Fax: 392-8492
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services
List of Attachments:
Appendix "A": 1999 Food Related Capital Fund Allocation
Appendix "A"
1999 Food Related Capital Fund Allocation
