UFCW Locals 175 and 633 members have donated $3,000 each to the North Bay and Nipissing First Nation Food Banks as part of $200,000 in donations across the province.
Recognizing the increased demand facing food banks this year, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) on behalf of its 70,000 members, will be donating $200,000 to food banks and charitable organizations across the province.
Earlier this month, Executive Board member Scott Gaboury presented cheques for $3,000 to each of the North Bay Food Bank and the Nipissing First Nation Food Bank, to help them serve their communities.
“Food security and accessibility is a major concern in many communities and this year has exacerbated the issue even more with inflation and limited budgets,” said Shawn Haggerty, President of UFCW Local 175.
“The food bank is experiencing an increase in the need for our services, with over 120 new households registered to date over all of last year,” said Debbie Marson, Executive Director of the North Bay Food Bank.
“We are grateful for the kindness, generosity and support from organizations like UFCW Locals 175 and 633 who continue to help us help those in our community who face food insecurity on a daily basis.”
This year, the UFCW Locals 175 & 633 Executive Board approved an increase to the amount being donated to almost $200,000, up from $90,000 last year.
This has allowed the Local Union to extend its donations to 60 organizations this year. Among the many services to their communities, the organizations supported with these donations provide: front-line food provision for families and individuals; hot meals for vulnerable community members; assisting with school nutrition programs, and; food distribution and support through other area agencies and charitable initiatives.
“We know that many of our communities in this province are in need of support. I’m proud of our Executive Board for choosing to not only make these donations each year but to have increased it this year so we can extend that support to more organizations so they can continue their invaluable work,” said Haggerty.
The local union will continue its donations to 60 organizations across Ontario through December.
