NICKEL BELT-GREATER SUDBURY – Food banks and other local food organizations across Canada are facing an increased demand for their services and added pressure from shortages in donations and volunteers. Now more than ever, they need continued support to offer the crucial services Canadians rely upon to feel safe and healthy.

Today, Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt, announced nearly $100,000 from the Government of Canada to improve food security for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents facing social, economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds were distributed between 4 organizations to support breakfast programs, to save unsold produce and fresh food among other food security initiatives.

• Onaping Falls Lions Club……………………….…………………………..$9,600
• Destiny International Church in Val Caron………………………………..$10,000
• Helping Hands Family Missions in Hanmer…………………...………….$20,000
• Atikameksheng Anishnawbek………………………………………………$57,500

This funding is part of the $100 million Emergency Fund for food security announced by Prime Minister Trudeau in April to position food banks and local food organizations early in the pandemic to respond to increased community needs.

Key national food security organizations have been instrumental in distributing this funding, including local partners, Food Banks Canada, Community Food Centres Canada, Second Harvest, Salvation Army, Breakfast Club of Canada.

More than 1,800 food banks and local food organizations across Canada have been helped by the funds from the Prime Minister’s announcement, which is estimated to help serve over 2 million Canadians with 6 million meals.

Quotes

“Access to nutritious and affordable food is a key factor in ensuring Nickel Belt- Greater Sudbury residents remain healthy through this pandemic. Food security and accessibility remains a priority and we must continue to collaborate the many agri-food producers in our rural areas and keep them part of the food security network. A big thank you to the organizations and volunteers serving our most vulnerable populations. I remain at your service and I’m here to advocate for your concerns facing food security issues.” – Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt

“The Onaping Falls Lions Club was pleased to receive Federal funding. With it we were able to feed and nourish residents who needed it during this pandemic. Giving back is important to our Club and we are thankful we get to help those most vulnerable.” – Carmen Portelance, Administrative Secretary Onaping Falls Lions Club

“The funds that Atikameksheng Anishnawbek received from Community Foods Centres Canada, enabled us to support our Miijiim Support program which provided families safer access to food while reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19. Families have been very appreciative of this program and many positive comments and feedback have been received.” -Darlene Shawbonquit -Director of Education and Social Services, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek

“We are so happy with the government support that we received as it enabled us to keep bringing food to the most vulnerable in our community. We were able to connect with many organizations to collaborate and support them with food. What a true blessing!” – Jamie Fitchett, Director Helping Hands Family Mission

Quick Facts

• According to Statistics Canada, one in seven Canadians indicated that they live in a household where there was food insecurity over a one-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2019, there were 1.1 million visits to food banks and 5.6 million meals served on average each month.
• The $100 million Emergency Fund for food security investment was divided as follows:
  • $50 million Food Banks Canada
  • $45 million divided evenly between Community Food Centres Canada, Second Harvest, Salvation Army, and Breakfast Club of Canada.
  • Up to $5 million for local-level organizations who serve people experiencing food insecurity, including $800,000 for La Tablée des Chefs to help prepare and distribute meals mainly across Quebec to vulnerable populations through food banks.

Associated links

• Supporting people experiencing food insecurity in Canada because of COVID-19 (AAFC)
• Prime Minister announces support for food banks and local food organizations (PMO)
• Food Banks Canada
• Second Harvest
• Community Food Centres Canada
• Breakfast Club of Canada
• Salvation Army
  
  

Media Contact:
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré, MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222 / [email protected]