Food insecurity isn’t an abstract statistic here -it’s something we see in our streets, in Scarborough, and at kitchen tables where people worry about the next meal. A hydroponic farm matters because it gives us a steady, local way to grow fresh food close to the people who need it. At 5N2, we built our … Read more

Do you ever wonder what goes on at a soup kitchen? What are all those people doing? Well, let me walk you through a typical Tuesday. The day starts at 8:30 AM with a delivery of fresh produce from one of our most valued partners, Second Harvest. We have received potatoes, butternut squash, turnips, kale, … Read more

The National Volunteer Week theme for 2021 is The Value of One, The Power of Many. How inspiring and true, especially during this past year, as we have seen people help each other during the pandemic and also rise together to fight social issues impacting Canadian society. The Oxford dictionary defines a volunteer as a … Read more

June can mean many things: it can mean beach days, watermelons under the sun, and since 2009, it has also been a month for us to celebrate Indigenous History in Canada. This month is a time for learning and appreciating Indigenous cultures in Canada. As an organization, we are on the traditional territory of many … Read more

We all know that cars and carbon dioxide are significant contributors to greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but who would have thought that food waste has also been heating up our planet? Here are three quick facts about food waste in Ontario: 1. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, 58% of Canada’s food is wasted. … Read more

Neil Young once famously said, “it’s better to burn out than to fade away”, in his 1979 hit My, My, Hey Hey. However, as nonprofit workers, we would beg to differ from the rocker. At 5n2, we strongly believe it is important to practice self-care before we can tend to the wellbeing of others. Many … Read more

At 5N2, a diverse group of dedicated volunteers and staff come together with a singular purpose: to provide nutritious meals and offer a hand of hope to the community. Our new campaign, Hands of Hope, shines a light on these incredible individuals and the partners who support our mission. Our volunteers and staff are the lifeblood … Read more

George joined 5N2 as a volunteer in November 2023, driven by his  strong desire to give back to his community. As a retiree with time on his hands, George wanted to find meaningful ways to contribute and make a difference.  “When I retired, I realized I had some extra time to do different things,” George … Read more

Since 2020, 5N2 has been partnering with Starbucks to rescue food and provide it to those in need. Every Friday, through this initiative, 5N2 delivers vital support to community members at Progress Church, which has been receiving this assistance since January 2024. Volunteers at the church work tirelessly to ensure the food reaches those who need it most, … Read more