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Richmond Food Bank will share in $150,000 in funding to social service agencies provided today by the TD Bank Group.

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Food bank to benefit from TD funding

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 4:15 PDT, Mon August 31, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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The need never stops at the Richmond Food Bank.

Serving an average of 1,400 individuals each week, with quality non-perishables and perishable grocery hampers, the food bank has seen its numbers surge since COVID-19. And the trend is troubling.

“We are seeing a surge in the number of young families accessing our services,” says Hajira Hussain, executive director at the food bank. “Many have been laid off, and those that are still employed are working at reduce hours. the uncertainty, the lack of resources, the isolation, is taking a toll on many and the only way we can get through this crisis is when we work with each other because we are always…stronger together.”

Recognizing the urgent demand for donations, in preparing for a second wave of COVID-19, the TD Bank Group has announced $150,000 in funding for social service agencies and organizations delivering critical support to vulnerable communities throughout the province. The Richmond Food Bank is one of the groups that has been allotted a share of the money.

"The goal of the TD Community Resilience Initiative in the Pacific region is to help strengthen the ability of local social services to overcome challenges they may be experiencing during this period of uncertainty and change," said Andy Cribb, regional senior vice-president, TD Pacific region. “This is a critical time to help support charitable organizations and agencies who are working tirelessly to assist vulnerable people now and into the future."

Organizations receiving funding announced today provide any combination of support, services, and safe spaces for individuals and families in crisis including people experiencing poverty, violence, isolation, and unemployment. Demand for social services shows little sign of slowing down, as communities prepare for the potential for a second wave of COVID-19.

"While COVID has created great anxiety for staff and participants, it has also allowed us to build on our resiliency to find innovative ways to continue to serve Vancouver’s most marginalized citizens," said Scott Elliott, executive director at the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation. "We cannot do this alone and, due to COVID, our fundraising events have been significantly impacted. We remain grateful to have sponsors and donors such as TD who continue to financially support us so we can serve those who need our help the most."

A recent TD survey shows that 66 per cent of Canadian respondents aged 18 to 34 have experienced or anticipate experiencing unemployment or reduced income as a result of the pandemic. Covenant House Vancouver—a charity that helps homeless and at-risk youth in the city and a recipient of TD Community Resilience Initiative funds – has seen that loss of income due to fewer opportunities for entry-level employment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has had the most significant impact on the youth they serve.