Blog

On July 6, 2024 (Saturday), Nonnina’s Table, in collaboration with COFION, brought our community together for an unforgettable day. Our mission to nourish and support Toronto community shined through as we provided a free lunch, featuring hot dogs wrapped in bacon, halal hot dogs, delightful desserts, refreshing watermelon, and juice. The joy and laughter of children enjoying face painting, balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, and ice cream, filled the air.

This event was made possible by the incredible support of our generous sponsors, both private and corporate. Your contributions not only made this day possible but also highlighted the tremendous impact of collective community efforts. We offer our heartfelt thanks for your support and dedication to making a difference.

To our amazing volunteers and everyone who participated, your energy and willingness to help have left a lasting impression on many lives. Your kindness and efforts are the heart of our mission, fostering a community of compassion and unity.

Let’s continue to embrace this spirit, spreading kindness and support across our community. We are profoundly thankful to all who support Nonnina’s Table’s mission of care and connection. Here’s to many more events that unite us in compassion and kindness. 

On April 10, 2024, we had another amazing event at Scadding Court Community Centre, thanks to Michelle and her wonderful team. They provided free nail and makeup services, and haircuts, bringing joy and confidence to many in our community. We are so grateful for your continued support and dedication, Michelle and your team! Together, we continue to strive to make a positive impact and provide more help for our community in need.

On March 23, 2024 (Sat), Nonnina’s Table had the privilege of hosting a luncheon at the Scadding Court Community Centre, a gathering filled with warmth, care, and community spirit. Each bagged lunch, lovingly prepared and packed, contained comforting soup, hearty sandwiches, flaky croissants, sweet desserts, and refreshing drinks — our small way of spreading joy and support to those in need within our community.

This event could not have been possible without the remarkable support of our generous sponsors both private and corporate. Your contributions not only helped bring this vision to life but also demonstrated the powerful impact of collective community efforts. We extend our deepest gratitude for your partnership and commitment to making a difference.

We also seize this opportunity to welcome more individuals and organizations to join us as sponsors or volunteers in our future initiatives. Together, we can continue to create meaningful moments of support and connection.

To our dedicated volunteers and everyone who participated, your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute have left a lasting impression on many lives. It’s through your kindness and efforts that we can foster a community of compassion and solidarity.

Let us keep the momentum going, spreading kindness and support in every corner of our community. Thank you for being a vital part of Nonnina’s Table’s mission of giving and connection. Here’s to more gatherings that bring us together in service and kindness.

On the 14th of this month we were graciously hosted by the San Lorenzo Church, and served 250 meals!

In our meal service this month we gave away 550 hotdogs!

We had a great meal service on Saturday the 13th at Scadding Court, sponsored by our partner YPO.

We gave away 410 meals as well as 300 food baskets!

On December 10 and 11th we held our annual food hamper event. This year was a little different. We gave out chickens instead of turkeys as the price of turkeys was too high for us.

The event went very well. Feedback was positive. Families were happy to get their hampers, kids jumped for joy with their toys. Seniors, kids and adults were so excited when they received the hand-made quilts.

Food given out: 800 chickens, 5000 lbs potatoes, fresh vegetables, deli, cheese, canned beans, pasta/rice bread and much more.

Toys for kids, 500 gifts for kids, 100 handmade quilts (donated by Your Heritage Quilters Guild. 350 shoe boxes. Warm clothes and boots/shoes.

Thank you to all the volunteers. Those who helped put it together and the ones that work that weekend. And thank you to all the donors that donated the food, clothes, toys, time and financial help.

Hello everyone,
As the holiday season approaches, we are facing the highest needs for food and other necessities that we have ever experienced. Our GoFundMe fundraiser campaign was not a success. Money raised was only $1085.00. That is not enough to fund our Christmas Hampers. To raise enough funds to get us through our Christmas event we are asking as many families and friends as possible to donate funds to buy chickens to support our families at Christmas.
For every twenty dollars donated you can buy 3 chickens.

Please consider donating to a good cause.
Funds can be e-transfered to nonninas.table@gmail.com

Also, please send this post to as many of your contacts as possible to help us meet the needs of the families we support.

Christmas event date:
Saturday December 10th  Prep day for Sunday
Sunday December 11th Hampers distribution day.

Nonnina’s table and COFION are pleased to announce a new program on Harm Reduction at Humber College.

What is Harm Reduction? Harm Reduction is a philosophy and a set of strategies to reduce harms associated with substance/drug use.

Background: A group of volunteers from Nonnina’s table and COFION reached out to Humber College, and offered  
free workshops on 20 different topics related to substance/drug use.

Interested professors contacted the project coordinator directly, to book a session. Between October to December 2022, 8 sessions on 3 different topics were scheduled. Participants were asked to fill out an evaluation form at the end of each session.

Current status: In October, a total of 80 students participated in four Harm Reduction sessions to learn more about “Different substances & their impact on physical and Mental Health”.

Presenter: Kathy, a Harm Reduction Peer- volunteer presented on this topic.

Evaluation results
1- There was a total 57% increase of knowledge on the topic.
2- 99% of participants mentioned that the topic was of their interest.
3- 85% of participants mentioned that they would like to attend future Harm Reduction Sessions.
4- In addition to the workshop topic, the life experiences of the presenter, and how different drugs are being used by people were the most interesting parts of the session, as per participant’s feedback.
5- Participants asked for more interactive sessions, where they could watch videos, or do some group activity.

Next step: Four other sessions are scheduled for November and December.
Stay tuned for more exciting news on this project.

With best wishes,
Harm Reduction Team

Nonnina’s Table had its first outdoor event since the pandemic started. We served 480 hotdogs with a hearty deli sandwich, a salad, and dessert. We also handed out water, juice, a loaf of fresh gourmet bread, and a toy for the kids. A very successful afternoon on a sunny Saturday. Thank you Scadding Court for allowing us to have our event there. Thank you Jake for organizing tents, tables, and chairs. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that helped us put it all together. God bless you all!

To end this update, we would like to share a heartfelt reply we got from a volunteer after asking them how they heard about us…

RE: A quick question, how did you hear about us?

My pleasure to answer!
A friend of ours (my wife and I) told us about the free BBQ this past Saturday.
Anyway, my wife and I agree that the food was impressive!
When I ate it I had thought to myself “regardless if a person is rich or poor, everybody should eat well like this!”
Well… at the very least, everybody deserves to eat and have their bellies full every day/night.
So I’m asking about volunteer opportunities, because maybe I could help make that happen? Hopefully I can fit it into my schedule.