A child’s letter to Santa begs for an end to sectarian violence in his native Lebanon, and another child literally jumps for joy after opening a gift to find the Lego that topped his wish list. These are the stories that keep Bayview’s Bill Hullah putting in long hours at the Community Share Food Bank, a volunteer-based organization he founded over a decade ago.

The neighbourhoods spanning Bayview Avenue to Victoria Park Avenue, and Eglinton Avenue north to the 401, are home to thousands of new Canadians and many long-time residents in the lowest income brackets.

“Many of these people come to Canada with nothing and don’t know where to turn. We help them through that,” says Hullah, who also serves as president of the year-round food bank.

Meeting the growing demand for food is the top priority for Hullah and the volunteers he works with at the food bank, which also offers something that can’t be donated from the grocery store.

The Community Share Food Bank provides a place for new and needy Canadians to socialize, learn English and make friends. Whether it’s over turkey at Christmas dinner or chicken and basmati rice during Ramadan, the sense of belonging transcends the over 15 languages used by visitors.

“The biggest fight they have in life is loneliness. Food is important, but many can’t speak English and have nobody to talk to,” says Hullah.

Hullah is a microbiologist by trade. It’s his job to make sure the food that reaches grocery stores is safe to eat. He sees the food his organization provides as the building blocks for new lives in Canada.

“[These people] are not just shadows that come and go. We get to know them. Every one of them has a story.”