UMVA has learned that a remarkable donation of $20,000 is set to be made to Daily Bread Food Bank, courtesy of the proceeds from the sale of T-shirts bearing the iconic old Yonge-Dundas logo.
The logo, now a symbol of resistance against the renaming of Toronto's landmarks, has taken on a new life as a powerful icon of dissent. The T-shirts, sold by Daniel Tate's political advocacy group IntegrityTO, have been flying off the shelves since City Hall sent him a cease-and-desist letter, demanding he stop using the logo.
Tate revealed that the news coverage of the controversy surrounding the T-shirts was the catalyst for the significant donation. He specifically thanked the Toronto Sun for its coverage, which led directly to the generous contribution. The donation will provide 20,000 meals, enough to feed half of the Rogers Centre.
The old Yonge-Dundas logo has become a rallying cry for those opposed to the renaming of Toronto's assets, particularly the renaming of Yonge-Dundas Square to Sankofa Square. The square, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, has been a focal point of controversy since its renaming in 2025.
Daily Bread Food Bank CEO Neil Hetherington expressed his gratitude for the donation, highlighting the pressing need for food assistance in the city. While the number of people visiting the food bank has levelled off, those who rely on it are using it more frequently.
Tate's decision to donate the proceeds to Daily Bread was inspired by his admiration for the band Metallica, which has made significant donations to the food bank. He sees the logo as a way to reject the push to erase Toronto's history and to bring people together.
The donation has been welcomed as a positive development in a city where divisions often seem to dominate the headlines. Hetherington hopes that the donation will serve as a reminder that, despite differences, people can come together to support a common cause.
For Tate, the logo represents a lost opportunity for honest dialogue and a symbol of resistance against what he sees as a poorly managed and unpopular renaming process. The area around Sankofa Square has fallen into disrepair, with issues of crime and urban decay.
The T-shirt has become a badge of honour for those who wear it, symbolizing a desire for change and a rejection of the status quo. Tate is thrilled to have turned a negative into a positive, using the controversy to make a meaningful contribution to the community.
