AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN:
- Introducing financial contributions was a major shift for The Depot, but one year later, participation has remained steady, and programs continue to feel welcoming, flexible, and accessible.
- While many community members continue to rely on free access to support, others appreciate having the opportunity to contribute when they can.
- Beyond generating revenue — 122K since April 2025 — the model helped create a stronger sense of mutual support and collective responsibility.
Just over a year ago, The Depot introduced a Community Contribution Model across many of our programs. For the first time in nearly 40 years, participants were being asked to contribute financially toward services through a sliding-scale system that invites people to contribute according to their means, including $0 when needed.
The decision emerged from a changing reality. As demand for food security programs continues to rise and funding remains unpredictable, we knew we needed to explore new ways of supporting the long-term sustainability of our work. At the same time, we recognized that community members experience food insecurity differently. While some rely on free access to programs, others are in a position to contribute and want to do so. The model was designed to hold space for both realities while remaining flexible and low-barrier.
From the start, we wanted the model to remain as flexible and low-barrier as possible. But we also knew it would represent a major change, and we were unsure how it would be received. Would people still feel welcome? Would participation decrease? Could introducing financial contributions create unintended stress or stigma?
A YEAR LATER…
We’re grateful to see that participation across programs like the Resto Depot, Marché Depot, and workshops has remained steady. Aside from a short adjustment period when the model was first introduced, especially in the Resto, people gradually settled into the new rhythm, and participation levels returned to what we had seen before.
In our Annual Program Survey, a majority (65%) of participants shared that the Community Contribution Model hasn’t changed how often they access programs at The Depot. For some, the opportunity to contribute — even in a small way — has helped them feel more comfortable participating, with 7% of respondents sharing that the model has actually increased their participation.
Participants told us they appreciate being able to contribute when they can, and value the sense of mutual support the model creates:
“I appreciate that I pay for my basket and the meals — I want to help The Depot continue an important mission.”
“I always try to contribute a little more when I have the opportunity to do so.”
At the same time, during consultations, we heard clearly that the experience of contributing could feel very different depending on someone’s situation. For participants experiencing more severe financial hardship, it would be an additional source of stress.
That’s why keeping the option to contribute $0 was always part of the model. We wanted to ensure that people facing the greatest barriers would never feel pressured to pay to participate.
“I had the benefit of having the fee waived — it helps me out.”
Today, nearly one-third of Marché Depot baskets are accessed at $0, along with more than half of all meals served through the Resto Depot, a number that is shaped in part by the Resto Depot’s commitment to making sure all children under 12 can eat for free.
At the same time, we’ve also seen community members contributing across the different levels of the sliding scale when they are able. Over the past year, those small contributions have added up to more than $122,000 in support for programs at The Depot, helping provide a reliable source of funding for programs that community members value and depend on.
One year later, we feel encouraged by what this experience has shown us: it is possible to build new models while continuing to centre dignity, accessibility, and choice. Above all, it has reinforced the strength and care that exists within our community.