One red bag can carry a family through the week.
The Red Bags Food Drive is a community campaign fighting hunger close to home, supporting the Markham Food Bank since 2015, and the Georgina Food Pantry since 2025. No donation is too small, and every bag stays local.
Our story
Started by one family. Carried by a whole community.
The Red Bags Food Drive began in 2015 as a small, family-driven effort started by Eric Stanciu to make sure fewer of our neighbours went without food. What started with a handful of bags on a handful of doorsteps has grown into a community-wide campaign, powered entirely by volunteers.
We work directly with local partners to get donations where they're needed most, quickly and without a lot of overhead. The idea is simple: give people an easy, no-pressure way to help, one bag at a time.
A red bag on a doorstep is a quiet way of saying: we're in this together.
Where your bag goes
Two communities, one campaign
The Red Bags Food Drive started in Markham, and since 2025, we've grown to support Georgina too. When you sign up below, just let us know which community you'd like your bag to support.
Markham
Our original home. Bags filled in Markham go directly to the Markham Food Bank, supporting families across the community.
Sign up for Markham
Georgina
Our newest partnership. Bags filled in Georgina go to the Georgina Food Pantry, reaching neighbours further north.
Sign up for GeorginaHow it works
Filling a bag takes three simple steps
Sign up below
Tell us your name, address, and how many bags you'd like to fill. It takes under a minute.
We get you a bag
We'll get a red bag to you (or let you know if you can use one of your own) along with a list of what's needed most.
Fill it, and we'll collect it
Pack your bag with non-perishable items and leave it out on collection day, and we'll take it from there.
Join the campaign
Sign up to fill a red bag
Fill in the form and we'll follow up with everything you need, including a list of the most-needed items and your collection date.
Every household that signs up is one less family going without food this month.
Enrollment form
All fields are required so we can find you on collection day.
You're signed up!
Thank you! Keep an eye on your inbox for your bag details and collection date.
In the community
Moments from the drive
Families, schools, and local businesses: this is who shows up every year to make Red Bags happen.
Not ready to fill a bag yet?
You can still help. Share this page with a neighbour, volunteer on collection day, or reach out to see what's needed most right now.