Over the last week Not Far From The Tree has begun what has been dubbed Operation #gotSHED? This is our search through Toronto’s back alleys and hidden corners for suitable storage areas for our fleet of cargo bikes. We need to find a total of fourteen storage areas for all the wards we operate in. This may not sound like a monumental task considering there are close to a half a million houses in Toronto and I bet a lot of them have a shed or garage for storing things. But over Not Far From The Tree’s five year history finding storage space has proven to be one of the most difficult tasks.

While doing this Toronto wide search for sheds I have realized that I have a strong affection for sheds. I have always liked small places, I’ve lived in small apartments and cabins and I like small cars. I like the way a shed weathers over time. I like that sheds are easy to build, you don’t have to be an engineer or master carpenter, you can just smack one together. I like that sheds have roofs that you can stand on to pick fruit. I like that sheds can have any purpose you desire. They can store things, be a small office, a chicken coop, or a club house.

I’m not the only person with such a strong affection for these fantastic structures. We, the shed lovers of this world, call ourselves Sheddies. Only a week ago the Sheddies of the UK gathered for National Shed Week to determine their nations greatest shed. People sent in photo’s of all different types of sheds. There were eco-sheds, clubhouse sheds, garden sheds, tardis sheds, and pub sheds. This years winner was “Woodhenge Pub Shed” owned by John Plumridge. Woodhenge is a micro pub that operates as an events space for Plumridge’s friends and family.

Not Far From The Tree’s cargo bikes don’t need homes as fancy as those entered in Britain’s National Shed Week competition. All they need is some shelter from the elements and a little bit of safety from Toronto’s pesky bike thieves. Spread the news that Not Far From The Tree needs a shed far and wide to see if anybody has a storage space we could make use of!

If you come up with any leads, please send them along to info@notfarfromthetree.org or (647) 774-7425.