Markham–Thornhill receives federal funding to improve food security in the community

November 12, 2020 – Thornhill, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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, on behalf of the Government of Canada, Mary Ng, Member of Parliament for Markham–Thornhill announced $31,600 to improve food security for Markham–Thornhill residents facing social, economic and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds are distributed between the Parya Trillium Foundation and 105 Gibson Centre to provide both access to meals and food packages to the most vulnerable people in the community. The funding is expected to help feed more than 1000 people in need with total of 1135 meals.

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.

And just last month, our government doubled this funding by investing another $100 million to ensure food banks and local food organizations can continue to serve our communities.

Key national food security organizations have been instrumental in distributing this funding, including Community Food Centers Canada, Breakfast Club of Canada and Second Harvest.

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

“Food banks and local food organizations play such an important role across the country, especially here in Markham-Thornhill. Today’s announcement will go a long way to helping the most vulnerable people in our community, and ensuring Canadians have what they need to stay safe and healthy throughout this pandemic.”

• Mary Ng, Member of Parliament for Markham—Thornhill

"105 Gibson Centre cordially thanks the Office of Mary Ng for the support to our food bank services. This fund not only gives immediate food support to families in need, but also strengthens our bond as a community during the pandemic.”

• Chris Cheung, Business Development Manager, 105 Gibson Centre

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