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About
Programs
- Events
Get Involved
Blog
Partners
- Supporters & Funders
MP Chronicles
Contact

Claire Shipley20260311153540

Claire Shipley

she/her | Board Member

Jessica van der Vooren20230427133356

Jessica van der Vooren

She/Her | Treasurer

BR-White@4x

Growing Neighbourhoods Foundation

(o/a Building Roots)

P.O. Box 167, 260 Adelaide Street East

Toronto ON M5A 1N1

CRA Charity Registration Number

734726680 RR 0001

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See what we have been up to lately!

Today is #WorldHealthDay In our community, health

Today is #WorldHealthDay In our community, health is something many people are actively working through every day — managing chronic conditions, navigating stress, and doing their best to care for themselves and their families with what they have. And in the middle of that, something as simple as fresh, nourishing food can make a real difference. It supports our body and creates space for healing in ways that go beyond the physical. One community member shared with us:
“You helped my health, I got my appetite back. You take care of me and don't judge me. You talk to me [...]” Because health is not only about what we eat — it’s also about how we feel. It’s mental, emotional, and rooted in connection. Feeling cared for, seen, and supported can be just as important as the food itself. This World Health Day, we’re reminded that access to fresh food and compassionate spaces helps people not just get by — but begin to feel well again. 🍎 to support this work — link in bio.

A #thursdaythrowback to a couple weeks ago when ev

A #thursdaythrowback to a couple weeks ago when everyone was celebrating Eid and Nowruz at the market ✨ One of our former staff joined us for a volunteer shift and brought in the most thoughtful homemade treats to share with the community. It’s always meaningful to have people return and continue to give their time and care in this way. Saturdays at the market are busy and full — a steady flow of people picking up food, checking in with one another, and making their way through the space. That day, those treats were passed along hand to hand, adding something special to the day. We’re grateful to be part of a community that shows up for each other like this 💛

A big thank you to Here2Help for the donation of h

A big thank you to Here2Help for the donation of hygiene items for our community. These are often requested items and it's nice to have them on hand for community members. Here2Help has been a strong community partner to us. Their team shows up responding to immediate needs — supporting people through crisis, helping de-escalate situations, harm reduction and connecting folks to medical care. We’re grateful to be in community with a team that shares the same care for supporting people, right when they need it. Thank you, H2H 💚 Check them out here - https://h2hresponds.ca/

Eid Mubarak 🌙✨ We’re feeling especially grateful

Eid Mubarak 🌙✨ We’re feeling especially grateful as we reflect on the beautiful iftar we shared with our volunteers. It’s such a blessing to be able to gather, share food, and be surrounded by people who care deeply about our community and support this work. Eid reminds us of the importance of generosity, connection, and gratitude — and we feel so lucky to experience all of that alongside such an incredible group of people. Wishing peace, joy, and abundance to everyone celebrating. Thank you to our amazing volunteers for being such a meaningful part of our community 💛

Our 2026 Community Leaders program is now open for

Our 2026 Community Leaders program is now open for intake! This program brings community members together to explore how we care for one another and the land we share. Through weekly gatherings, shared meals, hands-on workshops, and local field trips, participants will build meaningful relationships while learning practical skills in food sovereignty, land stewardship, and community leadership. If you or anyone you know is interested you can email us at info@buildingroots.ca **Priority will be given to Moss Park residents, and folks with a lived experience of food insecurity

Sometimes we get the chance to bring in something

Sometimes we get the chance to bring in something a little special for the community — last week it was coconuts 🥥 Moments like this remind us how meaningful it is to share fresh, culturally relevant foods that might remind people of home. At the same time, global challenges are beginning to affect how food moves around the world. As supply chains become more complicated, food prices may start to rise and certain foods may become harder for communities to access. Programs like ours work to make sure good food continues to reach the people who need it most — and sometimes we even get to add something special to the table. If you’d like to help us keep food flowing into the community, consider making a donation. Donate through the link in our bio. 💛

Even on colder Toronto days like the ones we’ve be

Even on colder Toronto days like the ones we’ve been having, Coffee & Conversations is still on ☕❄️ We simply move things indoors to our blue shipping container — the Gathering Space — so our volunteers can stay warm and folks passing by can step in for a coffee and a break from the cold. Same community, just cozier. 💙

A big thank you to the @vHingKongers for joining u

A big thank you to the @vHingKongers for joining us last weekend and so generously sharing the art of writing fai chun with the Moss Park community. We’re really grateful you brought your culture and traditions into the space and created a moment for people to learn and connect together. Wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year — may the year ahead bring care, abundance, and good fortune 🧧 🐎

We gathered for a volunteer potluck to slow down,

We gathered for a volunteer potluck to slow down, share a meal, and spend time with the people who make Building Roots what it is 🌱 Huge thank you to everyone who came, and to those who couldn’t make it but continue to show up for Building Roots and our community in so many ways. The food was everything: Ishaaq shared cevizli sucuk (a walnut dessert), Morteza brought kashk bademjan (an eggplant dip), and volunteer + community member DJ cooked up French onion mashed potatoes, candied carrots, and apple crisp—all made with produce from the market 🥕🍎 And a big thank you to Joe from @mossparkespresso for hosting us and for being such an incredible community partner—so much care, culture, and love around one table 🤍

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