In a remarkable display of dedication that has redefined community service standards, local volunteer Eleanor Thompson has been nationally recognized after personally delivering her 10,000th food box to vulnerable families across the Greater Toronto Area.
“I never counted the boxes,” Thompson admitted with characteristic humility during our interview at the North York Community Food Bank where she has volunteered for over seven years. “I just kept showing up because the need never stopped.”
Thompson’s journey began in 2016 after retiring from a 30-year career in accounting. What started as a twice-weekly commitment quickly evolved into what colleagues describe as an “extraordinary mission” that continued uninterrupted even through the darkest days of the pandemic.
“When COVID hit and many of our older volunteers had to stay home, Eleanor was organizing contactless deliveries and recruiting her neighbors to help,” explained Michael Chen, Executive Director of the North York Community Food Bank. “She created an entire logistics system that we still use today.”
According to Canada News data, food insecurity affected nearly one in seven Canadian households in 2022, with numbers continuing to rise amid inflation concerns. Toronto’s food banks reported a 47% increase in visits compared to pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the critical importance of Thompson’s work.
“The 10,000th delivery wasn’t ceremonial—it was just another Tuesday for Eleanor,” Chen noted. “We had to track the numbers ourselves because she refuses to make it about the statistics.”
The milestone delivery was made to the Patel family, recent immigrants with three children who have faced significant economic challenges since arriving in Canada last year.
“Ms. Thompson doesn’t just drop off food,” said Priya Patel. “She remembers my children’s allergies, brings books they might like, and always asks about my husband’s job search. She makes us feel seen.”
Thompson’s commitment extends beyond deliveries. She has developed a comprehensive volunteer training program, established partnerships with five local grocery chains, and created a specialized delivery route system that maximizes efficiency while ensuring dignity for recipients.
Her efforts caught national attention when the Governor General awarded her the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers last month, citing her “extraordinary contribution to food security in Canada” and her “innovative approach to community care.”
When asked about the recognition, Thompson redirected attention to the ongoing need in communities across Canada.
“Ten thousand boxes means 10,000 instances where our system failed someone,” she reflected. “I’m grateful for the recognition, but I’d rather see policy changes that make food banks unnecessary.”
Thompson’s impact reverberates throughout Toronto’s volunteer community, with dozens of new volunteers citing her example as inspiration for their own service.
“People often ask how they can help address major social problems,” Thompson offered. “I tell them to start with one box, one family, one connection. The numbers add up when we all participate.”
As food insecurity continues to challenge communities across Canada, Thompson’s milestone raises an essential question: How might our approach to hunger change if we viewed each food box not as charity but as Thompson does—as a connection between neighbors in a system we all have responsibility to improve?
