NEWS RELEASE
FOOD BANK OF YORK REGION
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An additional $30,350 in funding has been allocated to the Food Bank of York Region (FBYR) by the Student Nutrition Ontario Central East (SNOCE) with funding made possible by the Breakfast Club of Canada (BCC).
The BCC COVID-19 Emergency Fund initiative allocated funding to SNOCE, who then directed the York Region portion to the FBYR for distribution among its network to eligible front-line agencies. That $30,350 will be dispersed to the social service agencies that feed and support school-aged children between the ages of four to 18.
This added funding comes after an already generous allocation of $80,000 previously given to the FBYR by the SNOCE under the same direction and concept, but previously through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The funds will be dispersed via monetary cheque or grocery gift cards, and the amounts will evenly be allocated based on the number of children they feed.
“With all the school closures in York Region, households with children are under tremendous financial and emotional stress. We are delighted that Student Nutrition Ontario Central East has chosen us again to distribute much needed food support for school aged children. Agency collaboration is key to ensuring that hunger is minimized throughout York Region, especially during this unprecedented time in our history,” said Alex Bilotta, CEO of FBYR.
Student Nutrition Ontario Central East: Through our lead agency, Peterborough Child & Family Centers, we work in partnership with local committees, school boards, public health units, and food procurement partners to ensure that every child can eat, learn, and succeed. We develop and implement healthy student meal programs in more than 675 schools across Central East Ontario, helping to provide students with access to healthy breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school. These meals are available to every student, regardless of need. For more information, please visit www.studentnutritionontarioce.ca.
The Food Bank of York Region: The FBYR is a food hub network serving the nine municipalities of York Region (Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, and King). We source, collect, warehouse, and deliver surplus fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food donations for the 70+ social service agencies within our network. For more information about the FBYR or ways to donate, please visit www.fbyr.ca and follow us on social media.
Breakfast Club of Canada: Breakfast Club of Canada is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing services and funding to school breakfast programs. We do this with the help of individual and corporate partners, all committed to the cause of feeding our children’s future. For more information, please visit www.breakfastclubcanada.org.
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