Tony Colley's Journey: From Unemployment to Food Rescue Champion
I want to make sure that we never waste good food again, because this food is edible. You know, it's on its way to a landfill, so why throw good food in the garbage?
Picture this: You’ve lost your job, you're battling depression, and you’re struggling to put food on the table. This was Tony Colley's reality in September 2017. After a successful 16-year career with two national banks, four years in the non-profit sector, and two years as an entrepreneur, Tony found himself unemployed and relying on social assistance. But his story takes an inspiring turn. In this episode of 'Ruthless Compassion with Dr.
Marcia Sirota', Tony shares how he transformed his hardships into a mission to combat food waste and insecurity in Canada. Working as an Event Manager for Toronto’s largest catering company, Tony was shocked by the massive amounts of surplus food being thrown away. Determined to make a difference, he began rescuing this food and delivering it to a nearby shelter on his bike. However, he soon realized that his efforts needed a more organized approach.
This frustration led to the birth of Be One to Give (B12Give) in May 2019, a for-profit social enterprise operating as a delivery app that ensures surplus food reaches those who need it most. Tony’s story highlights the critical issue of food waste in Canada and showcases his resilience and determination to create a barrier-free food-based diversion program. His journey is a powerful reminder of how one person’s passion can spark significant change in the community.
Tune in to hear Tony’s remarkable story and be inspired to take action against food waste and insecurity.