TDRC Media Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY
Release Date: Wednesday, August 27^th, 2003


Food Vouchers for Ontario Disability (ODSP) Recipients Available From City of Toronto’s Special Needs Unit

(Toronto) The Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) has learned that the City of Toronto’s Special Needs Unit has re-opened a special office to deliver food vouchers to Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) recipients who have been affected by the crisis around food and money issues for people on low and limited incomes following the electricity blackout.  Neither City officials nor the provincial Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) offices, however, have alerted the public in need of this necessary aid that these emergency food vouchers are available.

Ontario Disability (ODSP) recipients can phone 416-392-8609 or 416-392-8652 to be assessed by the Special Needs Unit and be given directions to where they can pick up an emergency food voucher.

TDRC has learned that the makeshift office for distribution of food vouchers for ODSP recipients is likely to close today (Wednesday August 27^th) at 4:00pm and not re-open at on any further date. It is urgent that ODSP recipients who are in need phone in to the office as early as possible today in order to be assessed.

Ontario Works has been providing some limited emergency needs relief, either through small cheques or food vouchers, to recipients of Ontario Works (social assistance). Ontario Works recipients can phone 416-392-2956.

At this time, however, an urgent crisis remains for recipients of federal social assistance benefits (including pensioners receiving Canadian Pension Plan benefits, as well as people who are low income Employment Insurance sick leave or maternity benefits). These recipients of federal sources of income are still facing an urgent crisis, having lost perishable food and often times spending money which had been budgeted for rent on replacement food in order to feed themselves and their families. The federal government has announced no plan to provide relief to these federal recipients (including frail elderly seniors, etc.).

Low income wage earners and others who are not presently receiving Ontario Works or ODSP benefits should phone Brenda Nesbitt, Director of Social Services / Ontario Works for the City of Toronto, at 416-392-3620 for an assessment and information on what assistance might be available to them.

Neither the Provincial government nor the City of Toronto has publicized this crucial emergency food voucher program for ODSP benefit recipients. As the office to provide this emergency relief is expected to close by the end of today, it is crucial that agencies and media outlets notify the public of this issue.

For more information, contact TDRC at tdrc@tdrc.net

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