More than 225,000 Meals: Western Communities Foundation Launches the Community Food & Nutrition Emergency Fund Program
Western Financial Group's charitable arm adapts donation model to changing needs of local communities
HIGH RIVER, AB, April 15, 2020 /CNW/ - As we all continue in the face of collective uncertainty, Western Financial Group's charitable arm, the Western Communities Foundation wants to help bring a bit more certainty to those who are most vulnerable at these times. The Foundation has been with local communities through hard times before and their commitment to help these communities has always been and will always be strong.
Through this, the Western Communities Foundation is proud to launch the Community Food & Nutrition Emergency Fund Program. This program will help ensure everyone in the communities where Western operates has access to food during these difficult times, reinforcing food security through the food bank system and other local organizations.
Each year, Western employees raise funds to give back to the communities where Western operates. This year, the foundation is adding the Community Food & Nutrition Emergency Fund Program to give back to the changing needs of local communities during this time.
Community Food & Nutrition Emergency Fund Program
From now until December 31, 2020, Western's local leaders will award a food bank or food-related organization in each of their communities with a donation from Western, to be matched by the Western Communities Foundation for an estimated $500 per community. These contributions add up to a total of $75,000, providing more than 225,000 meals for distribution across Canada.
A true grass-roots program, Western's leaders are closest to the individual needs of their communities and will ensure this support reaches those locally who need it most.
Since the Foundation began giving back to Western's communities through dedicated employees, the Western Communities Foundation has raised more than $3.6 million. More than $127,000 has been donated to community food initiatives across Canada, in addition to all the funds raised and contributed in the areas of public health, public housing, education, and recreation.
"It's always been part of Western's mission to give back to the communities that give us so much in return, and we are proud to be able to provide additional resources to help our communities continue their critical programming."
– Kenny Nicholls, President and CEO, Western Financial Group
"Our $75,000 investment will be leveraged up to five times the initial amount. This means that for every $500 donation, 1,500 meals will be provided across the country! That's upwards of 225,000 meals in total!"
– Laurette LaPlante, Director, Western Communities Foundation
Western Communities Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Western Communities Foundation serves to give back to the communities where Western employees live and work, and foster employee pride and engagement. The Foundation's core donation programs include community Infrastructure Grants, the Western Inspirational Awards for graduating high school students, and the Matching Grants Program. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has raised more than $3.6 million to support local communities.
For more information on the impact the Western Communities Foundation has on the local community, visit westerngives.com
SOURCE Western Financial Group
Media Contact: Shannon Louis, Communications Specialist, [email protected]
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