An Etobicoke charity group, Food for Now, has encountered issues with the Toronto Senior Housing Corporation (TSHC) regarding their food distribution efforts. The organization has been providing essential food and items to the community every Friday evening for the past 16 months, primarily serving residents of a senior’s building located in the Lakeshore Village neighborhood.
With around 25 dedicated volunteers, Food for Now plays a crucial role in supporting those who often rely on mobility devices and have limited financial means. John Jeffreys, a client of Food for Now, expressed the significance of their work, stating, “I’m only on Ontario Works, so there’s like $400 left after my rent is paid that I live on for the month, which is nothing. I doubt it, because the food I get from them lasts me like three days. I don’t eat it all at one time.” His testimony highlights how vital the food distribution service is for individuals struggling to afford basic necessities.
However, challenges arose when the TSHC issued a directive in July 2025, instructing Food for Now to vacate the covered entrance area of the building. They cited reasons such as impeded access for tenants and concerns over improper littering. In response, with the approval of two businesses leasing space on the property, Food for Now relocated their operations a few feet away. Despite this adjustment, on January 23, 2026, the group received a notice demanding a complete evacuation from the TSHC property, threatening potential legal action for trespassing.
In light of these developments, Daniel Lauzon, the founder of Food for Now, emphasized the importance of their services by stating, “Now we’re at a point where, ‘Ok, sorry I should have asked before but now I’m asking,’ and here I have all the community behind and hopefully they can make sense of all this.” The organization has since moved their operations to the sidewalk in front of the building, determined to maintain the essential lifeline they provide to the local community, which sees between 60 to 120 beneficiaries each week.
To garner support, Lauzon initiated a change.org petition appealing to TSHC to allow Food for Now to operate one day per week for approximately two-and-a-half hours. He described the routine of community members who rely on their service, saying, “They know by the weekend they can count on food for now; they leave with pantry items, bread, and a couple meals. It’s not just one meal, whatever we have, we give.” This highlights the holistic approach taken by Food for Now in addressing food insecurity within the neighborhood.
In an effort to resolve the matter, TSHC has communicated its willingness to explore collaboration with Food for Now to find a mutually agreeable solution for keeping the food program operational. A meeting between the two parties is scheduled for the following week, signaling potential positive developments in finding a location for the food distribution.
Lauzon suggested that if they are unable to use the designated area, the worst-case scenario would be continuing their operations on the sidewalk. He mentioned that having permission for alternative locations could mitigate challenges posed by inclement weather, such as rain or snow. As a community-driven initiative, Food for Now relies heavily on donations to sustain its services. For further information or to support the cause, individuals are encouraged to visit their website.
