As we all work to adjust our lives during the COVID-19 global pandemic, it’s important to remember that its impact will have a greater toll on Canadians, including new immigrants and refugees, who may already be facing issues of low income and food insecurity.
DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society is grateful to be one of several beneficiaries of a generous donation by Shaw Communications Inc. to Community Food Centres Canada (CFCC) to help ease food insecurity. Shaw’s $1 million donation to CFCC will help the organization provide additional and immediate support to the organizations and communities it serves across Canada, such as DIVERSEcity (which received $25,000).
“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,” said Brad Shaw, Chief Executive Officer, Shaw Communications, in their press release. “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.”
Nick Saul, CEO, Community Food Centres Canada, said, “The demand at our Community Food Centres and Good Food Organizations has never been higher, and this extraordinary donation from Shaw, a longtime partner, will help ensure that more Canadians get the essentials they need to help get through this difficult time.”
New Canadians are particularly vulnerable to food security issues, and DIVERSEcity’s settlement services and food security programs help newcomers in Surrey, BC. “For newcomers to Canada, adjusting to a new culture, language and financial situation can be extremely stressful, and the COVID-19 pandemic is posing a whole new set of challenges for them. The last thing anyone should have to worry about during a time of crisis is whether or not they will be able to eat,” said Neelam Sahota, CEO, DIVERSECity. “Shaw’s generous donation will help give newcomers in our community access to healthy food and food skill resources they need to help during their transition.”
Learn more about Shaw’s donation here.
Above photo: DIVERSEcity operates two Community Gardens and a Community Kitchen program in Surrey, BC.