What is the Gift Card Program?
With record increases in child and family poverty in Toronto, many families served by the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CCAS) have struggled to afford food, diapers, formula, personal care items and basic household needs. Your donations provide families with gift cards from Canadian retailers so they can provide for their children, preventing a temporary cash shortfall from snowballing.
How it helps:
Vulnerable families need a hand
Toronto is the child poverty capital of Canada, and the depth of poverty is growing, particularly among low-income, one-parent, Indigenous, racialized, immigrant and newcomer children. Gift cards from the CCAF offer a lifeline for CCAS-involved families, who are challenged by financial instability, unemployment, education gaps and mental health concerns.
Your impact:
CCAF-funded gift cards cover unexpected needs that fall through the cracks
Gift cards don’t just deliver financial aid—they offer stability, dignity and hope. Thanks to donors like you, CCAF-funded gift cards have:
- Helped an unemployed mother buy a stroller or her toddler after escaping from domestic violence.
- Filled the lunch boxes of children who recently arrived in Canada, but whose family hadn’t yet qualified for community support.
- Been a godsend for a single mom who was unable to work while caring for her teenage daughter with cancer.
Read more inspiring stories

Oluwatobi’s story: From foster care to becoming a lawyer
Donors to the CCAF helped this youth create a bright future for herself

A Bond Born From The Heart – Adrianna and Ella’s Story
Adoption creates families built on love, commitment, and trust, offering children the support they need to grow and thrive. When a child is welcomed into a forever home, they gain the foundation to build their life with confidence and hope.

Joseph’s story: Urgent help with food, supplies
Donor-funded program helps 18- to 23-year-olds set up their first apartment when they age out of government subsidy
See more programs

Access & Family Support
Researching and evaluating an innovative new approach to safely reunite parents and kids who are in the child welfare system

Friends & Loved Ones
Funding holiday travel and bonding activities for Toronto youth in extended care

Trinity Fund
Supporting the faith needs of Catholic children and youth in the care of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto