Libraries as Community Food Banks
Toronto Public Library, Ont.
Innovation Synopsis
With one-third of food banks closed due to COVID-19, TPL worked with the city's Emergency Response team and community organizations to establish food banks in 12 TPL branches, set up food distribution at TPL’s central book sorting facility and added free children’s books to food hampers. New food security programming and service partnerships were established.
Challenge/Opportunity
On March 13, 2020, TPL closed all of our branches due to COVID-19. Within days, we reopened 12 locations as temporary food banks to serve our most vulnerable communities in a new way. Our staff volunteered to sort, pack and hand out food — happy to have the opportunity to continue to serve our most vulnerable community members. TPL was recognized by the city, community organizations and the media for its nimble and innovative community-focused response.
Key Elements of Innovation
TPL’s mission is to provide free and equitable access to services which meet the changing needs of Torontonians. Food security was identified as a citywide COVID-19 emergency response priority and lack of space for replacement sites for closed community food banks was a primary need. TPL has long considered our public space as a service. With branches closed, redirecting library space to establish community food banks to help meet the urgent needs of our most vulnerable populations was identified as a new service priority.
Achieved Outcomes
TPL staff packed over 14,000 hampers to serve over 40,000 individuals from March-September 2020. Two branches continue to operate as food banks with planning underway to establish permanent community food banks and develop new food security programming at the two. The economic impacts of COVID-19 will be experienced for years, particularly by those already living in poverty. TPL is now well-positioned with new food bank partners to play a community role in supporting these urgent needs.
