DAO Pantry 2024 Impact Report: Food Support in Durham Region

Historical impact update: This article highlights DAO Pantry’s work during 2024. Since then, our food-support program has continued to grow and, in 2026, evolved into DAO Market, our choice-based food-support program working in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham.

DAO Pantry’s 2024 impact

Throughout 2024, DAO Pantry provided an affirming place for people experiencing food insecurity in Durham Region. Our roots in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community shaped an approach centred on dignity, inclusion and connection while providing practical food support.

Our 2024 impact by the numbers

• 5,153 total food-support visits
• 1,690 households supported
• 99 weekly visits on average
• At peak service, approximately 50 community members per hour were supported

Who we supported

DAO Pantry served people across age groups and household types. Our 2024 reporting reflected significant need among children, youth and young adults while our program remained available as an inclusive source of food support for the broader community.

• 36% of those supported were under age 18
• Young-adult service use increased significantly during the reporting period
• People and households across age groups accessed support

From DAO Pantry to DAO Market

The 2024 numbers documented a period of rapidly growing demand. DAO continued developing the program in response. In 2026, DAO Pantry transitioned to DAO Market, a choice-based model that allows community members greater choice over the food they take home.

DAO Market is Durham Region’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ food bank and is open to anyone in need. The program works in partnership with Feed the Need in Durham, connecting DAO’s local work with the broader regional food-support network.

Learn more about the current program, including how to access food support, at durhamallianceoutreach.org/programs/market.

Our impact continued in 2025

DAO’s 2025 impact reporting showed that the need — and our community’s response — continued. During 2025, DAO recorded 5,250 pantry visits. Across the organization, we also welcomed 133 peer-support guests, more than 13,000 visitors to Club 717, delivered 53 drag shows, welcomed more than 1,000 Pride Durham market guests and 600+ parade-goers, participated in four community booth events, and benefited from more than 5,200 volunteer hours.

View DAO’s 2025 impact statement.

Help us continue the work

• Donate: Support Durham Alliance Outreach
• Volunteer: Help DAO Market and our other programs serve the community
• Partner with us: Businesses, community organizations and funders can help strengthen our programs and expand our reach
• Share our work: Help more people learn about DAO Market and the supports available through Durham Alliance Outreach

Contact Durham Alliance Outreach

Durham Alliance Outreach
717 Wilson Road South, Oshawa, Ontario
905-738-8133
info@durhamallianceoutreach.org

Note: The 2024 figures in this article are preserved as historical program data. Current DAO Market information is available on the DAO Market program page.