East York Meals on Wheels has announced its relocation to 66 Overlea Blvd. this spring, after being forced move from its previous offices on Thorncliffe Park Drive, due to the construction of Metrolinx’s Ontario Line.
Operations manager Mary Skwarek said the new location will allow the organization to take a new approach and provide additional services for their clients.
“In the new space we really want it to be a place where the community can come in and participate in programming,” she said. “We want to offer a dignified shopping experience for people to come in whether they have purchasing power or not. They‘ll be able to find the food they need.”
Addressing food insecurities
The organization has several new ideas for its new location.
“We want to host a speaker series on healthy eating,” Skwarek said. “We also want to introduce a mini cafe and a food market. The purpose of this is to address the food insecurities in the area.”
East York Meals on Wheels has been providing services to the community since 1969. The organization offers meal deliveries to seniors and other individuals who are unable to leave their homes, as well as community dining programs and other services to support those in need.
Skwarek said the move did create some challenges.
“It was really hard to find a space that fit all our needs,” she said. “We have food suppliers dropping off food every day, and we have volunteers pick up and delivering meals to clients every day.”
However, eventually the organization ended up finding a former Starbucks at Overlea and Thorncliffe.
East York Meals on Wheels plans to provide services to the community throughout the whole relocation process.