Secretary-Treasurer’s Message Kelly Tosato

Executive Board endorses food bank and shelter donations

We know that many in our communities have suffered: from job loss or layoff, reduced hours, food insecurity, and the general stress and worry of learning to live in new ways and stay connected to those we love and care about.

Many who have never visited a food bank before have found themselves suddenly in need of vital community support in these hard times.

Back in April, the federal government announced a $100 million Emergency Fund for Food Security in response to the increase in food bank usage during the early months of the pandemic. It's also important to note that Canada has no enshrined right to food in our Constitution or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. ~1

This year, in lieu of Labour Day giveaways, the Local Union Executive Board voted in favour of donating to food banks in 20 communities across the province.

In total, $60,000 is being distributed to food banks from Windsor to Thunder Bay, Kenora to Ottawa, and many places in between.

Your Executive Board wanted to help ensure that families – our neighbours, friends, family, and co-workers – who need the assistance of food banks can continue to rely on those services. We know it’s a cause close to the hearts of many members and I was very proud to see our Board endorse the donation.

In a Fall 2019 study – before COVID-19 was on anyone’s radar – a group called Voices United did a survey of food bank clients in Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Grenville Counties in eastern Ontario. The study found a “majority of respondents are severely food insecure, with more than 50% stating they are personally hungry on a regular basis. A shocking 41% are going whole days without eating.” ~2

And just like our workplaces and lives, COVID-19 brought changes to how food banks operate. Many of these operations have adapted to provide things like delivery and drive-thru services. Food Banks Canada has a COVID-19 Response Fund, which to date has helped distribute almost 15 million meals across the country. Visit www. foodbankscanada.ca for information on programs and locations. ~3

Your Executive Board also voted unanimously to donate the Union’s van to Shelter House in Thunder Bay.

Shelter House plans to use the van to help get their Street Outreach Service (SOS) Program back up and running. At the start of COVID-19, Shelter House had to repurpose their resources and the SOS program had to shut down. The SOS Program sends teams of two people out every day between 2 p.m. and 2 a.m. to offer services to individuals who are homeless and at high risk in the community. Anyone in the community can contact the Program to assist someone in need. The group hopes the new van will allow them to redeploy those teams.

You can find more information on Shelter House and the important work they do on page 18.

Many charities, unable to hold regular events for most of this year, will likely see a significant decrease in their fundraising for 2020. If you’re in a position to donate and would like to, please check with your local Food Bank or charity of choice on the best way to show your support. If you’re already a volunteer or thinking about volunteering, please ensure the organization follows good health and safety procedures to keep their volunteers and clients safe.

Our Local Union is a part of many communities across this province through our members and our staff. The pandemic has turned a spotlight, more than ever before, on the value of community and supporting one another. I am so proud to be a part of this Local Union and see our members and Executive Board continue to be generous and giving in these difficult times.

In Solidarity, Kelly Tosato

treasurer@ufcw175.com

Sources:

~1 Who's Hungry 2019 (Rep.). (2019) (p7). Retrieved October 5, 2020, from Daily Bread Food Bank website: https://www. dailybread.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/DB-WhosHungry-2019-Final-WebLR.pdf

~2 Ashby, C. (n.d.). Voices United 2020: Raising the Profile of the Hungry in Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Grenville Counties. Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://hol.community/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-Voices-United-Report- Final-1.pdf

~3 Food Banks Canada Donor Accountability Statement. (n.d.). Retrieved October 05, 2020, from https://iate.ca/ foodbankscanada-covid19/media/documents/FBC-Donor-Accountability-Statement.pdf