Season 5, Episode 4: Neil Hetherington - CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank, on what each of us can do to end food insecurity

About Today's Show

Welcome to episode 4 Season 5 of #SenecaProud Podcast!

In this episode our guest, Neil Hetherington, Seneca graduate, and CEO of the Daily Bread Food Bank, talks about how each of us can take steps to help end food insecurity in Toronto, and across Canada.

In this episode Neil shares his journey from student at Seneca College, to the youngest CEO in the history of Habitat for Humanity in Toronto and New York, and then to his role as CEO of Daily Bread Food Bank.

In this episode we also talk about:

1. How the need for food banks in general has increased dramatically in Canada, and specifically in Toronto
2. The key steps each of us can take to help end food insecurity in Toronto:

1. Sending an email to any elected official asking them to implement their poverty reduction strategy.

1. Dropping food off at any Fire Station in the city of Toronto. The Daily Bread Food Bank will come an pick it up for distribution.
2. Helping out as a volunteer at the Daily Bread Food Bank.
3. Becoming more aware of the root causes of food insecurity by listening to the Daily Bread Food Bank's podcast, called the 2030 Project, which you can find here

Neil also shares how his experience as a student of Seneca College helped shape his journey as a leader in the the not-for-profit sector, and how being rewarded by mission, rather than money, has shaped his career.

About our Guest, Neil Hetherington

Neil Hetherington is the CEO of Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank. Previously he was the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto and New York City for 16 years. He holds degrees or certificates from Huron University, Seneca College, Harvard Business School and the University of Virginia - Darden Business School and his MBA from UWO Ivey Business School.

Neil was named one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2005. He has received the distinguished alumni of the year awards from each of Huron University, Royal Saint George's College, Western University and Seneca College. He was awarded Queen Elizabeth's Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals in 2002 and 2012. In 2018 he was awarded the Premiers Award for Outstanding Ontario College graduates for excellence in business.

Important Links and Contact Information

• Click here for the Daily Bread Food Bank
• Click here for their podcast, the 2030 Project
• Click here for the email address of your local Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament for your email asking about their poverty reduction strategy.
• Click here to find your Member of Parliament at the federal level.

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Pat Perdue