OUR IMPACT

In the First Half of 2023, The Compass Served a Significantly Increased Number of People Versus the Same Time in 2022.

Lbs. of food distributed in the first 6 months of 2023 was 516,206 lbs vs 300,777 lbs vs same period 2022

We helped 962 new households the first 6 months of 2023 vs 363 same period 2022

We served 4,454 individuals the first 6 months of 2023 vs 2,447 same period 2022

The number of adult clients increased by 103%, senior clients increased by 45%, and children increased by 53%

The number of single parent family clients increased by 27%, two parent family clients increased by 107%, couples by 226%, and singles by 97%

At The Compass, we are much more than a food bank. We come together to provide and evolve services to meet the needs of our clients.

Our Current Services

Programs offered by The Compass includes:

- Market (food distribution and meals)
- Community Lunch (eat-in lunch)
- Community BBQ (weekly BBQ dinners from June to September)
- Refresh (a safe place to explore God, faith and life)
- Women’s Group (individuals that identify as female enjoy a sit down dinner and discussion)
- Men’s Group (individuals that identify as male enjoy a sit down dinner and discussion
- Hair Cuts
- Low Income Tax Clinic
- I.T. Support and Computer Classes
- Drop-in Services (for advice, help, etc.)

We were able to bring the following agencies to our space to improve client access:

- Family Services of Peel (employment information)
- Peel Addiction Assessment & Referral Centre (PAARC)
- Services and Housing in the Province (SHIP)
- Bloom Clinic (a harm reduction clinic)
- Homeless Health Peel Nursing Services
- The Region of Peel Housing Support
- MOYO (harm reduction support and services for people living with, affected by and at systemic risk of HIV/Aids)
- STRIDE Employment Services (employment workshops)
- ID Clinic (assistance with applying for health cards, birth certificates, etc.)

2022 Impact in Numbers

705,278 lbs

of food was distributed.

Goal for 2023: 1,032,412 lbs

1,749

people helped weekly.

Goal for 2023: Meet anticipated increase in need to 1932 clients per week.

27,469

client visits to our market.

Goal for 2023: 38,324 visits

39,394

meals served.

Goal for 2023: 54,600 meals

273

low-income tax returns prepared, totaling $521,175 in benefits.

Goal for 2023: 300 tax returns

754

families provided for during the Christmas Campaign.

Goal for 2023: 800 families

310

knapsacks full of school supplies distributed.

Goal for 2023: 350 knapsacks

40

sets of winter clothing provided to clients experiencing homelessness.

Goal for 2023: 50 sets

53

children sent to summer camp, totalling 148 weeks.

Goal for 2023: 70 children

Client Interactions with Onsite Agencies in 2023: Mid-Year Update

Housing Region of Peel interactions:

110

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 235 interactions

PAARC addiction assessments/referrals:

25

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 50 interactions

SHIP housing interactions:

122

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 257 interactions

Peel Outreach employment help:

16

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 36 interactions

Bloom Clinic harm reduction Hepatitis C interactions:

157

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 322 interactions

Homeless Health Peel unhoused nursing interactions:

58

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 144 interactions

ID Clinic lost ID restoration interactions:

40

Jan – June

Goal for 2023: 90 interactions

Volunteers are the backbone of The Compass.

With the small part-time staff in place, it’s the volunteers who had the biggest impact in feeding and supporting the clients.

We had 329 active volunteers at the end of 2022 who donated 38,054 hours of time.

Goal for 2023: 40,000 hours.

Volunteers are the backbone of The Compass.

With the small part-time staff in place, it’s the volunteers who had the biggest impact in feeding and supporting the clients.

We had 329 active volunteers at the end of 2022 who donated 38,054 hours of time.

Goal for 2023: 40,000 hours.

See What Our Clients and Volunteers are Saying:

“Although asking for help is ego-breaking, I’ve never felt judged but respected. Thank you to all the volunteers and staff. You do a wonderful job in helping anyone in our community who truly struggles.”

– Chantal, client

“The Compass helped when I needed them the most. After suffering with a chronic illness that directly impacted me financially, The Compass provided me with food, counseling, support and friendship, together with the encouragement to move forward.”

– Stella, client

“Our meal programs fill the bellies of hungry clients, but we have come to realize that hunger takes on many forms. There is a hunger for acceptance and encouragement. There is a hunger to connect with people and to build a sense of safety in a world that seems to have forgotten many souls. There is a hunger to feel love. Nourishment takes on many beautiful forms at The Compass.”

– Cathy, volunteer

“At the end of a shift I’m tired but always grateful that I contributed to the well-being of people who are in need, and live in my community.”

– Lucie, volunteer

We’ve Been Honoured Again!

Charity Intelligence Top 5 Impact Toronto Charity - 2023

Charity Intelligence Top 10 Impact Food Bank 2023

The Compass Food Bank is honoured to learn we are one of Charity Intelligence Canada‘s (Ci)’s 2023 Top 5 Impact Toronto Charities and 2023 Top 10 Impact Food Banks. Inclusion in these lists is based on the amount of demonstrated impact that charities had on clients and society in the past year. The demonstrated impact rating looks value creation: for every dollar you donate, what’s the measurable return?

To learn more about Ci’s top 5 impact Toronto charities, click here. To learn more about Ci’s top 10 impact food banks, click here.