What DAO Market Needs Most: Food & Essential Donations

Since opening in 2021, Durham Alliance Outreach’s food-support program has grown from DAO Pantry into DAO Market, a choice-based food program serving people across Durham Region in a welcoming and dignified environment. DAO Market is also Durham Region’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ food bank, providing an affirming place to access food and essentials while remaining open to anyone in need.

Our impact and how we’ve grown

In 2025 alone, our community made 5,250 pantry visits. That impact was part of a much larger year for Durham Alliance Outreach, alongside 133 peer-support guests, more than 13,000 visitors to Club 717, Pride Durham celebrations, community outreach and more than 5,200 volunteer hours.

In 2026, DAO Pantry evolved into DAO Market. Through our partnership with Feed the Need in Durham, the Market gives guests more choice in the food they take home and helps us provide support in a way that respects individual needs, preferences and dignity.

What DAO Market needs most

Our needs change as donations come in and items move through the Market, but these are some of the food and essential items we regularly need:

• Canned proteins: tuna and other canned meats
• Peanut butter
• Pasta sauce
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Soups and ready-to-heat meals
• Ramen and other quick meals
• Mac & cheese and meal kits
• Cereal and pancake mix
• Granola bars and school-friendly snacks
• Baby wipes
• Diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6

When space and demand allow, personal-care and household essentials can also make a meaningful difference for the people and families we serve.

Why choice matters

Food support should be about more than receiving a pre-selected box. DAO Market’s choice-based approach allows guests to select foods that better fit their household, dietary needs and preferences. It can also help reduce waste by putting items into the hands of people who will use them.

Our roots in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community remain central to who we are. As Durham Region’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ food bank, we work to make food support safer and more affirming for community members who may experience additional barriers, while welcoming everyone who needs support.

Before you donate food

We appreciate the generosity behind every donation. To help us distribute items safely and effectively, we cannot accept:

• Food that has been opened, damaged or otherwise compromised
• Food that cannot be safely distributed because of its condition or date
• Homemade or home-canned foods that cannot be safely distributed through the program

If you are organizing a large food drive or have a significant quantity to donate, please contact us first so we can confirm our current needs and available storage space.

Financial donations help too

Financial contributions give DAO flexibility to respond to gaps in donations and purchase high-demand foods and essentials when they are needed most. They also support the infrastructure required to operate DAO Market and our broader charitable work.

How you can help

Donate: Visit durhamallianceoutreach.org/donate to support Durham Alliance Outreach.

Learn about DAO Market: Visit durhamallianceoutreach.org/programs/market for current program information.

Drop-off location: 717 Wilson Road South, Oshawa, Ontario.

Questions about food donations can be sent to pantry@durhamallianceoutreach.org, or you can leave a voicemail at 905-738-8133 ext. 0556.

Every bag of groceries, every essential item, every dollar and every volunteer hour helps us build a stronger, more connected community across Durham Region.