We are pleased to announce a $25,000 grant from the United Way of the Lower Mainland to provide food to local people in need. The funding comes through the United Way’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), via Employment and Social Development Canada, and will be used to supply groceries to former prisoners living in the community.
“Even though the pandemic has limited the ways we can support people affected by incarceration, thanks to the generosity of the United Way and the federal government, we can provide healthy food to those who might otherwise be struggling to access it,” said Raymond Robyn, Executive Director of M2/W2 Association.
Starting this week, we will distribute gift cards or food parcels once every two weeks to about 100 people, including members of our No One Leaves Alone (NOLA) program and their families.
“Providing food is part of our community outreach,” said Raymond. “This funding will help people build resilience and stability during a challenging, uncertain time.”
The food security grant will run for six weeks, and after that, we plan to reapply and continue the program.
Versions of this story appear in our Summer 2020 newsletter and The Abbotsford News.