Ahead of Taylor Swift’s historic Eras Tour stint in Toronto last month, the City of Toronto unveiled a series of “Taylor Swift Way” street signs — all of which would be auctioned off at the end of her time in the city to benefit Daily Bread Food Bank.
The signage was covered by the Rogers Centre (the venue in which Swift played), with the company matching funds up to $113,000 as a nod to the singer’s lucky number.
Well, as much as fans would like her to “Stay, Stay, Stay,” Swift said “it’s time to go” after six performances in Toronto.
But with her departure came a final tally for the Taylor Swift Way signs: The auction raised a total of $216,842.96 for Daily Bread Food Bank, according to a statement from Rogers.
This includes $103,842.96 raised from bidders, as well as the pledged $113,000 from Rogers, to double the impact of fans.
“As presenting sponsor of ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ in Canada, Rogers is proud to partner with the City of Toronto and Daily Bread Food Bank to help raise funds for the critical mission of the food bank,” said Jana Masiewich, head of partnerships at Rogers.
“We know every dollar matters so we’ve rounded up the donation to contribute $113,000, Taylor’s favorite number.”
In total, 22 ceremonial street signs were displayed along an honorary route during November to welcome the singer and her thousands of fans.
The auction wrapped up Sunday night, and yesterday, Masiewich joined Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and Daily Bread’s CEO Neil Hetherington for a check presentation.
“We don’t know about you, but today, we’re feeling 22 very special reasons to be grateful,” the food bank posted on Facebook Monday.
“At a time when more than one in 10 people in our city are relying on food banks to make ends meet, the funds raised through this auction will enable us to ensure that neighbors in need of emergency food support have a place to turn. Thank you… to everyone who participated in the auction for supporting us in the fight to end hunger.”
Swift has her own “reputation” for donating to food banks along her tour stops. Later this week, she will finish off The Eras Tour in Vancouver, B.C., closing a celebratory chapter of kindness and generosity that has taken the superstar around the world.
“As always, the fans in Toronto treated us like it was a hometown show,” Swift wrote on Instagram after her time in Toronto.
“Couldn’t have asked for more love or generosity from the people who came out.”
Header images courtesy of Paolo V (CC BY 2.0) and Daily Bread Food Bank
