Toronto Public Library - Volunteering (Leading to Reading, Teen Councils, Seniors E-Connect)

TPL volunteer roles for teens: one-to-one reading help for children (Leading to Reading), Teen Councils, and helping older adults with technology (Seniors E-Connect).

Toronto · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Distress Centres of Greater Toronto (408-HELP line)

A phone line open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, where trained volunteers support you through emotional distress, loneliness, abuse or thoughts of suicide, with calls in 8 languages and check-in calls for seniors.

For: Anyone in Toronto and the GTA who is in emotional distress or crisis; seniors over 55 living in Toronto (including Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York) can register for regular reassurance calls.

Toronto · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Meals on Wheels in Toronto (find your local program)

Ongoing. Delivery days and times depend on the agency. Most agencies ask you to register before your first delivery.

Meals on Wheels brings healthy, affordable meals to your home. In Toronto it is run by many local non-profit agencies, and each one covers its own area. Most programs deliver hot meals ready to eat, and some also offer frozen meals and meals for special or cultural diets. The Ontario Community Support Association runs the Ontario Meals on Wheels website and points people to their local program.

For: Seniors, and adults who live with a disability, have a long-term illness, are recovering from surgery or illness, or are getting medical treatment. Each agency serves only people who live in its area.

Toronto · checked 4 October 2026 · everything we know

Parkdale Community Food Bank

A food bank at 5 Brock Avenue (rear unit) in Parkdale where you choose your own groceries, including fresh produce, bread, meat, vegetarian options, personal care items and pet food, plus a delivery program for people who cannot leave home.

For: Anyone who needs food: no proof of ID or financial status is needed and you can come once a week; delivery is for people who cannot leave home (illness, injury or mobility issues) living between the lakefront and Dupont, from Parkside/Keele east to Christie/Grace/Strachan.

Toronto · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program and Seniors Co-Payment Program

Seniors join automatically on the first day of the month after they turn 65; a letter comes about three months before. Low-income seniors must apply separately for the Seniors Co-Payment Program.

Ontario's public drug plan pays most of the cost of more than 5,900 prescription drugs for seniors and other groups, and a low-income seniors option removes the yearly deductible and lowers the fee to $2 per prescription.

For: Ontario residents 65 or older, people 24 or under without private insurance, people on Ontario Works or ODSP, people in long-term care or getting professional home and community care, and Trillium Drug Program members; seniors otherwise pay a $100 yearly deductible and $6.11 per prescription.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know

Toronto Public Health immunization clinics (free vaccines by appointment)

Clinics are by appointment. Grade 7 and 8 students can also get the hepatitis B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines at school during school hours (School Immunization Program clinics). Ontario law requires students to be up to date with the vaccines for 9 diseases, or have a valid exemption, to attend school.

Toronto Public Health runs free community vaccine clinics by appointment. Students can catch up on the vaccines needed for school and on hepatitis B, HPV and meningococcal vaccines, children under 5 can get free COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines, and the booking page also lists mpox vaccine clinics and an older adult clinic for COVID-19, flu or RSV vaccines.

For: Students in junior kindergarten (JK) to grade 12 who live or go to school in Toronto (school vaccines); children under 5 (COVID-19, flu and RSV vaccines); and the other groups listed on the booking page. If your child has no OHIP or health insurance, Toronto Public Health says to contact a clinic that gives free health care to uninsured people.

Toronto · checked 4 October 2026 · everything we know

Toronto Central Healthline

Directory of health and community services for Toronto (East York, Etobicoke, North York, Toronto, Scarborough) run by Ontario Health atHome, with a Submit Content route for listings.

Toronto · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC)

Largest social housing provider in Canada and second largest in North America, wholly owned by the City of Toronto; about 92,000 residents in 41,000+ low- and moderate-income households across 106 of Toronto's 158 neighbourhoods; 90% of households pay rent-geared-to-income. Units are allocated through the City's centralized waiting list (MyAccesstoHousingTO).

Toronto · checked 30 September 2026 · everything we know

Assistive Devices Program (ADP)

Apply any time. The steps differ a little by type of device; see the device list on the ADP page.

Ontario usually pays 75% of the cost of equipment and supplies for long-term physical disabilities, such as hearing aids, mobility aids, prosthetics, communication and visual aids, diabetic, respiratory and ostomy supplies, and home oxygen.

For: Ontario residents with a valid Ontario health card and a physical disability that needs the equipment or supplies for 6 months or longer; coverage can reach 100% for people on Ontario Works, ODSP or Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities, and people already supported by WSIB or Veterans Affairs for the same equipment cannot use it.

Ontario-wide · checked 2 October 2026 · everything we know