With food bank demand at record levels in Toronto, SUNPAN's ongoing partnership with the Daily Bread Food Bank helps improve access to essential resources for those in our community facing food insecurity.
At SUNPAN, the idea of comfort shapes much of what we do. On most days, that idea guides decisions about design. It is found in the curve of a chair, the softness of a fabric, or the way a space welcomes someone in.
Yet comfort starts somewhere far more fundamental. Before it becomes part of a space or a design choice, it begins with what is simple and essential. It begins with a stable footing. It begins with the ability to meet basic needs with dignity.
Unfortunately, for many people around the world, including in Toronto, where we are headquartered, that basic sense of comfort isn’t guaranteed.Â
A Cause Close to Home
According to the Who's Hungry Report 2025, Toronto recorded more than 4.1 million food bank visits this past year, a whopping 340 percent increase since 2019. Today, over one in ten Torontonians rely on food banks to meet basic needs. These numbers are not merely abstractions, they reflect the people who make up our city: our neighbours, colleagues, recent graduates, newcomers, caregivers, and children. In fact, a quarter of food bank users are now under the age of 18, and that number continues to rise.
The scale and urgency of this reality is part of why SUNPAN’s partnership with the Daily Bread Food Bank remains ongoing after over two decades.
SUNPAN's relationship with the Toronto-based non-profit spans 25 years, and for the last 18 years, we have contributed on a regular monthly basis. Today, our monthly donation provides the equivalent of an entire day of food for 2,000 people or roughly 500 families. Over the course of a year, this represents support for approximately 24,000 individuals or 6,000 families. As a Toronto-based company, supporting organizations that serve our community is both meaningful and necessary.
“We want to thank SUNPAN for championing our mission for the past 25 years and counting! They have shown remarkable compassion and have stood by their neighbours when they needed it the most.”
Showing Up In-Person
A few months ago, our Toronto team spent a day volunteering at Daily Bread’s facility. The tasks were simple: measuring, sealing, and boxing oats for distribution alongside staff and volunteers.
The experience was eye-opening. We learnt that 54 percent of food bank patrons now rely on food programs three times or more each month, and many who once required temporary support now rely on it long-term. Volunteering in person helped us appreciate the scale of the operation and the work that goes into putting food on thousands of plates every day.Â
Every year, our Toronto office rallies for our annual Holiday Food Drive. Employees, along with their families and friends, are invited to take part in this meaningful initiative. At the end of the collection period, the total weight of food gathered is matched with an added monetary donation from SUNPAN in addition to our monthly financial contributions.Â
Carrying the Commitment Forward
In 2025, SUNPAN was nominated for the Corporate Leader Award at Daily Bread’s Best in Class Awards. The nomination recognizes organizations that demonstrate meaningful and sustained action toward addressing hunger in the community.Â
The recognition serves more as an affirmation than an achievement. The work continues because it matters, not because it is visible. As SUNPAN CEO Sundeep Bagga notes, “As the need for food security around us continues to grow, so must our response. Our support for Daily Bread is not seasonal or symbolic. It is a long-term commitment to strengthening the wellbeing of our community and ensuring people have access to the essentials that they deserve.”
We create furniture designed to make people feel at home. But for many, feeling at home starts with something more basic: knowing there will be food on the table. As the needs in our city continue to shift, so will our commitment to this work. We are grateful to stand alongside Daily Bread and remain dedicated to supporting a community where comfort can exist for everyone.Â