Corporate and Foundation Partners Generously Respond to Community Food Centres Canada's Call for Emergency Funds

TORONTO, March 31, 2020 /CNW/ - Ten days after Community Food Centres Canada called on Canadians to support its Good Food Access Fund, nine corporate and foundation partners have responded swiftly and generously.

The following partners have stepped forward to provide critical funds that will ensure food can be secured for our most vulnerable neighbors in 175 communities across Canada:

• CIBC
• Cormark Securities
• MadeGood
• Manulife
• Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security
• President's Choice Children's Charity
• Shaw Communications
• The Patrick and Barbara Keenan Foundation
• The WB Family Foundation

Their support directly contributes to the efforts of our 13 Community Food Centres and 183 Good Food Organizations to provide safe access to good food in low income neighbourhoods during this time of national crisis.

CFCC is grateful to Shaw Communications for its transformational gift of $1 million, which will support The Alex Community Food Centre in Calgary, Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Centre in Toronto and DiverseCity Community Resources Society in Surrey BC, as well as many other organizations in our network.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives and has significantly increased the demands placed on the organizations that are helping to provide food and resources to the most vulnerable Canadians," says Brad Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Communications. "As longtime partners of Community Food Centres Canada — and some of the community food centres and organizations they support — we are pleased to help them provide food security to low-income individuals, seniors, First Nation communities, and marginalized members of our communities during this time of crisis."

"Access to good, healthy food is vital, but for low-income and vulnerable Canadians, it can be difficult to get access to these resources, especially during a time of crisis," said Joy Bowen-Eyre, CEO, The Alex. "We are working tirelessly to deliver meals to The Alex's community members, who are some of Calgary's most vulnerable. This allows us to reduce barriers to food access and to stop the spread of COVID-19 among those most at risk. Shaw's incredible donation will help us offer more meals and reach more of our clients in this critical time."

Manulife has also stepped forward with a generous offer to match all contributions up to $150,000 for donations made via www.goodfoodfund.ca. Because of Manulife, donors will be able to double their impact in the communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis, including Vancouver, Calgary and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

"Our mission is to make lives better, and that includes being there for Canadians during this most critical time," says Karen Leggett, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Manulife. "We will continue to support food security, particularly the availability and safe access to food for those who are most vulnerable."

"I am incredibly moved to see our partners respond to our call for help, says Nick Saul, CEO, Community Food Centres Canada. We asked that corporate Canada and all Canadians act and act fast and they certainly have, going above and beyond to support their neighbours facing food insecurity during these unprecedented times."

"For more than 3 years, President's Choice Children's Charity has partnered with Community Food Centres Canada to offer cooking, gardening and nutrition programs for children and youth," says Lisa Battistelli, Executive Director of President's Choice Children's Charity. "Now, at this critical time of program closures, we are proud to provide them with the flexibility to direct our $700K annual commitment to support our most vulnerable children and immediately allocate $200k to CFCC's Good Food Access Fund."

"Cormark Securities is stepping up to answer the call to support vulnerable Canadians during the COVID-19 crisis," says CEO Scott Lamacraft of Cormark Securities. "Our gift of $200,000 to Community Food Centres Canada's Good Food Access Fund will help to ensure at risk families in Ontario, Alberta and across the country can put good food on the table. Our contribution to this emergency relief fundraising effort speaks to the values of caring and generosity shared by Cormark employees."

"It's critical that essential service agencies are able to continue their work of providing food to those in need," says Stephen Forbes, Executive Vice-President, Purpose, Brand and Corporate Affairs, CIBC. "Our bank stands with the Community Food Centres Canada in its goal to assist vulnerable people in taking care of themselves and their families during this unprecedented time."

"With the heightened need for support for so many Canadians during this challenging time, The WB Family Foundation is pleased to be able to help," says Heather Beamish, President, The WB Family Foundation. "We have the utmost confidence in Community Food Centres Canada to deploy these funds across the country, and to assist those in greatest need."

About Community Food Centres Canada

CFCC builds dynamic and responsive Community Food Centres and food programs that support people to eat well, connect with their neighbours and contribute, through advocacy and mutual support, to a more just and inclusive Canada. With our partners, we work to eradicate poverty, food insecurity and improve the health and well-being of low-income Canadians.

CFCC website: www.cfccanada.ca
Campaign Page: www.goodfoodfund.ca

SOURCE Community Food Centres Canada