The Slaight Family Foundation donates $500,000 to support food security for Indigenous Peoples during COVID-19 crisis

TORONTO (May 6, 2020) | The Slaight Family Foundation is donating $500,000 to help families in Indigenous communities across Canada who are struggling to access food as a direct result of the COVID-19 crisis. Canadian Feed The Children and Community Food Centres Canada will each receive $250,000 in funding to support immediate food security for Indigenous Peoples.

“Canadian Feed The Children supports children and families within 26 Indigenous communities across Canada,” says Jacquelyn Wright, President & CEO of Canadian Feed The Children. “We will be putting this funding to work where it’s needed most to help communities who are already experiencing significant food shortages during this crisis. We sincerely thank The Slaight Family Foundation for their gift of $250,000 and the impact it will have for children.”

Food insecurity is a key concern because of vulnerable supply lines to the north and in rural communities, with food shortages already occurring. With Indigenous communities in the lead, Canadian Feed The Children will support the link between food and culture through this gift of $250,000 and will assist Indigenous communities to continue on their path towards food sovereignty, and create a healthier future for children, youth and families.

“Community Food Centres Canada is grateful to The Slaight Family Foundation for their generous investment of $250,000 to address the growing food insecurity crisis in Indigenous communities across Canada”, says Nick Saul, CEO, Community Food Centres Canada. “CFCC established its Good Food Access Fund to provide emergency relief during COVID-19 through take-away meal programs, food delivery, expanded food hampers, grocery gift cards and other emergency supports and are actively working with 20 Indigenous communities. This generous gift will help to ensure that those who might otherwise have fallen through the cracks of Government programs get the support they need.”

“At a time when Canada faces its greatest threat to food security, and in a territory that already faced shockingly high rates of household food insecurity, this funding from The Slaight Family Foundation will help us meet basic needs of people in Iqaluit as we weather this storm,” says Wade Thorhaug, Executive Director, Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre.