UPS delivers $55,000 grant to Montreal food bank
MONTREAL, Feb. 16 /CNW/ - Welcome Hall Mission, a humanitarian social services organization that operates a homeless shelter, a rehabilitation centre and one of Montreal's largest food banks, announced today that The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS), will provide a $55,000 USD grant to cover the cost of expanding the size of the Mission's freezer. This expansion is urgently needed to meet the growing demand for the services of its food bank and three cafeterias.
The grant will cover the cost of a walk-in freezer with refrigeration unit. This freezer unit is an integral part of the Mission's new sustainable food transformation project to be implemented toward the end of 2010. The project is designed to use perishable food items more efficiently. Welcome Hall Mission will prepare ready-to-eat frozen meals using the surplus of perishable food items it receives from Harvest Montreal, Canadawide, Weston Foods and other food distributors.
"In today's uncertain times, this is a truly generous gesture. Now more than ever, people are relying on food banks to feed their families on a regular basis," says Cyril Morgan, Executive Director of Welcome Hall Mission. "We cannot thank The UPS Foundation enough for this great gift."
Last year alone, Welcome Hall Mission's Family Services department helped thousands of Montreal families and individuals in need by distributing more than 365,000 emergency grocery bags. In addition, the Mission served 255,000 meals and snacks while distributing 2,000 Christmas baskets to underprivileged families from the Montreal area, all from its 94,000 square-feet warehouse located in De Courcelle Pavilion.
Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major initiatives include programs that support community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. More than 37 UPS employees have volunteered their time at Welcome Hall Mission, totalling 1,175 volunteer hours since 2001.
In 2009, The UPS Foundation donated US$43 million to charitable organizations worldwide. These funds benefit organizations and programs such as Welcome Hall Mission and provide support to build stronger communities.
"For more than 100 years, UPS has had a long-standing commitment to supporting our communities and partnering with local charities," said Mike Tierney, president, UPS Canada. "Welcome Hall Mission is a great example of the kind of partner we hope to support."
Since its founding in 1907, UPS has built a legacy as a caring and responsible corporate citizen. Whether through its involvement with United Way, The UPS Foundation or volunteerism, UPS provides assistance to programs that provide long-term solutions to community needs.
About Welcome Hall Mission --------------------------
Welcome Hall Mission is one of Montreal's largest community-based, humanitarian social service organizations and has served poor, homeless and marginalized men, women and children since 1892. It is comprised of a homeless shelter for men, rehabilitation and reintegration services for men with dependencies and destructive lifestyles, the largest food bank in Montreal as well as other family services, Le Roc-Youth Outreach which caters to homeless youth, Club de l'Arche children's services providing afterschool activities for disadvantaged children between the ages of 6-12, an Education and Employability department that offers vocational and educational training, and, last but not least, a large thrift store giving away clothing to individuals and families in need. For more information and recent updates, visit www.welcomehallmission.com
About The UPS Foundation ------------------------
Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation's major initiatives include programs that support community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2009, The UPS Foundation donated US$43 million to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.
For further information: Andrew Horwood, Welcome Hall Mission, Corporate Partnership Advisor, (514) 523-5288 ext. 325, www.welcomehallmission.com; Linda Heredia, APEX Public Relations, 1-866-924-4442, [email protected]; Sylvia Sicuso, APEX Public Relations, 1-866-924-4442, [email protected]
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