In the midst of uncertain times, one thing that has warmed our hearts is seeing how Torontonians have each other’s back — people supporting neighbours, businesses helping frontline workers, and communities showing local businesses plenty of love. Here are just a few examples.

Giving independent businesses a lift

The city’s small businesses are the heart and soul of Toronto, and while many have closed their doors to regular operations, it’s important they get support. 

Here’s where an incredible crowd-sourced effort called The Toronto Neighbourhood Watch comes in! 

The document is an active spreadsheet of businesses that are open for takeout and/or delivery, gift card sales, or online offerings like workout videos or educational content. Divided into sections like Groceries + Essentials, Books + Games, Service Providers, and more, the spreadsheet is a way we can ensure these local businesses can remain a part of Toronto’s landscape.

Jumping into action

With the hospitality industry being affected by the pandemic, many restaurants and chefs have come forward to help communities and frontline workers.

Some notable ones? 

After Chef Mark McEwan closed his restaurants, he donated all non-perishables to Daily Bread Food Bank. West-end pub The Dizzy is offering free meals to individuals or families who are struggling with financial insecurity, and Paramount Fine Foods is offering 50% off to frontline caregivers.   

Local breweries like Brock Street Brewery have shifted part of their operations from beer to much-needed hand sanitizer. Two Toronto-based gin distilleries — Spirit Of York and Reid’s Distillery — along with Dillon's Small Batch Distillers in Beamsville, have sprung into action as well, either selling the sanitizer they’re producing at a low cost or donating bottles to frontline workers. 

While purveyors of beer and spirits tackle sanitizer, Toronto’s fashion community is working to make sure frontline workers are properly outfitted with personal protective equipment (PPE). 

Known for their down parkas, Toronto-based Canada Goose is mobilizing their local manufacturing facility (plus one in Winnipeg) to make scrubs and gowns starting March 30. Joanna Griffiths, founder and CEO of Toronto-based women's intimate apparel company Knix, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to order and distribute personal protective equipment where it’s most needed. 

There has also been an incredible movement of Torontonians helping each other out. 

“None of us without all of us” is the tagline of the CareMongering-TO Facebook group, which sprung up once social-distancing and quarantining measures were strongly encouraged. Started by activists Mita Hans (a social worker) and Valentina Harper, the idea came out of Hans asking her neighbour if she needed help. Now, with over 19,000 members and counting, the group is a community that's extending care to marginalized groups impacted by COVID-19.

Keep it up, Toronto! We’re all in this together ❤️