With the Christmas and vacation season quick approaching, a number of organizations have held and can host actions to deliver good cheer to households and people within the Better Toronto Space.
Final weekend, the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations (AJAA) in partnership with the Jamaica Ex-Troopers Affiliation held their annual Care and Share Christmas program for people in want, worldwide college students and seniors at Revivaltime Tabernacle.
Olive Parkins-Smith, founder and co-Chair of Care and Share, says this system has assisted roughly 3,500 individuals over the previous 20 years.
“Presently of yr, there are such a lot of individuals on the market which can be in want whose Christmas actually will depend on the generosity of individuals like us, individuals who assist this system, that not solely care however they’re keen to share what they’ve in order that these individuals can have a a lot brighter Christmas. We used to say we attempt to flip tears of sorrow into tears of pleasure.” Working with social employees and different companies, just like the JCA, they recognized a few of the households to help and over the previous few years they’ve additionally included worldwide college students.
Alene Chen, president of AJAA, stated its tagline is “serving to to make the vacation season a bit brighter for these in want” and yearly they attempt to make the occasion greater and higher.
The annual Care and Share program included a Jamaican-themed reception with carolling and storytellers sharing Christmas tales with the youngsters. AJAA and the Jamaican Ex-Troopers Affiliation supplied present baggage for the youngsters and served a delicious meal.
In the meantime, the Rhema Foodbank of Rhema Christian Ministries is making ready to host a Neighborhood Christmas Luncheon on December 25, Christmas Day.
It has been supporting households with their grocery wants on a weekly foundation for 16 years and in the course of the Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons it provides pre-packaged grocery baggage to them. 5 years in the past, they added a free Christmas luncheon for shoppers of the foodbank.
“This yr, nonetheless, marks an thrilling milestone as we companion for the primary time with the Jamaican Canadian Affiliation (JCA) to host a Neighborhood Christmas Luncheon. This collaboration will allow us to increase our attain and serve a good broader viewers,” says Grace Williams, Coordinator of Rhema Foodbank. Earlier luncheons had been held on the foodbank location in Downsview Park.
Working alongside neighborhood sponsors they’re making ready to serve 300 friends on the Jamaican Canadian Centre from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Day. The deadline for registration is December 15.
At the moment, the Rhema Foodbank helps roughly 500 households per week.

In November, the Every day Bread Meals Financial institution and North York Harvest Meals Financial institution collectively launched Who’s Hungry 2024 – an annual profile of poverty and meals insecurity within the Metropolis of Toronto.
It discovered that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, there have been 3.49 million shopper visits to Toronto meals banks – almost 1 million extra visits than the yr prior and a 273% enhance since pre-pandemic.
And over in Oakwood Village at Nia Centre for the Arts — Canada’s first skilled Black arts centre — there can be “Festive Fuse: A Very Merry Afro-Diasporic Vacation Celebration” on December 14 from midday to 4:00 p.m.
Described as their “one-of-a-kind vacation social gathering,” the day will embrace vibrant musical performances, interactive cooking workshops, enjoyable video games and thrilling giveaways.
“Discover our vacation popup market that includes gifted Black artists and distributors providing distinctive merchandise,” it stated, noting that “Festive Fuse” is “greater than only a vacation social gathering—it’s a celebration of neighborhood, tradition, and connection.”
On that very same day, the United Trinbago West Indian Affiliation (UNI-TNT) will maintain its second annual Youngsters Christmas Occasion for ages 1 to 9 at Tropical Nights Restaurant and Lounge in Scarborough between 2:00p.m. and 6:00p.m.
Held beneath the patronage of the Consulate Normal of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, there can be presents, snacks and a go to by Santa.