by Chinyere from YSM’s Shared Administrative Services Team
On a windy, rainy day in November 2024, just before the Bridges community meal was to be served, our attention at reception was drawn to the entry of an unfamiliar face who had just been dropped off by a TTC Wheel-Trans vehicle.
He introduced himself as Adrian, and he was visiting Yonge Street Mission all the way from Scarborough with the singular objective of donating bread and baked goods to members of our community.
Since then, every Tuesday Adrian comes through our doors — rain, snow or high water — to share his offerings with YSM. He says if he could, he would bring food every day, but Tuesdays are the only day Wheel-Trans can bring him.
If compassion or resilience was a person, Adrian would be that individual. Adrian is quadriplegic and is always willing to be of service, despite the challenges and constraints of his physical condition.
When I asked Adrian, “Why not donate to other organizations close to you? You do not need to travel this far.”
Adrian said, “It has to be YSM. I asked my church, OneChurch.to, where can I be of use to help people the most. They sent me here. I am excited about all you do. I love people.”
Every week the food Adrian brings is either included in daily snack packs for neighbours in need of food who visit the Bridges Drop-In, or shared through our Food Bank. His bread is always a favourite!
After the Christmas holidays I asked Adrian how he’d spent it, and he shared he was all alone and missed his usual Tuesday visits. But then, grinning from ear to ear, he quipped, “Every time I visit on Tuesdays, it feels like Christmas.”
This story originally appeared in our spring 2025 Urban Lights.