According to the 2021 Hunger Count, demand for food banks continues to rise with 1 in 4 food banks in Canada experiencing a 50% increase in demand. In hopes to help support families and communities across Canada suffering from food insecurity, Desjardins Insurance has donated $275,000 to Food Banks Canada.
During the month of December and early January, Desjardins Insurance encouraged its Agents to donate to their local community food banks, in the Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick markets. 94 Agents participated in this year’s program, resulting in a total of $85,101 in donations. Desjardins Insurance is matching these donations at up to $2000 per Agent for an additional $150,000. In total, Desjardins Insurance and its Agent Network have donated $510,000 to support local community Food Banks and Food Banks Canada.
“This year has been extremely challenging for many, with the ongoing effects of COVID-19. Our communities and local food banks are working hard to support an overwhelming number of families and individuals in need,” said Benaaz Irani, Vice-President of the Desjardins Agent Network. “Our local Desjardins Agents continue to support the communities they live and work in and can see first-hand the added pressure the pandemic has put on local food banks.”
“Food banks across our country from coast to coast have been there for our neighbours, friends and families experiencing hunger. Food Banks Canada works to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow with the help of valued partners like Desjardins. Especially during the pandemic, Canadians have realized that the need can happen to anyone,” said David Armour, Food Banks Canada Interim CEO.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Desjardins Insurance and the exclusive Desjardins Agent Network have teamed up to support Canadian communities.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. Over 4,500 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who – last year – made 1.3 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Over the past 10 years, as a system we’ve sourced and shared over 1.4 billion pounds of food and Food Banks Canada shared nearly $168 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while advocating for reducing the need for food banks. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ to learn more.