OPG providing emergency food support to Durham Region
TORONTO, April 15, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is joining forces with Feed the Need in Durham (FTND) to provide COVID-19 emergency food support to residents in the Durham region. OPG's donation of $150,000 will be used to purchase and distribute food during this time of increased need.
"Helping those in need during a time of crisis is what corporate citizenship is all about. We are extremely thankful to the good people of Feed the Need in Durham who have been working non-stop to provide emergency food support to residents of our largest site community," said Ken Hartwick, OPG's President and CEO. "We encourage other companies in the Durham region to reach out to FTND and do the same."
FTND believes that hunger should not prevent anyone from fulfilling their potential or participating fully in the life of their community. Their mandate is to work with member agencies to alleviate hunger by providing fresh, frozen and non-perishable food to those who need it most. For every $1 donated, FTND is able to collect, store and distribute $7 worth of food.
"We are humbled by this generous contribution from OPG and for their ongoing support of our work in the community. As our network steps up in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that none of our residents go hungry, we rely on the generosity and kindness of our partners. With this donation, OPG has demonstrated their commitment to support FTND and our community in its time of most need, and for that we sincerely thank them," said Ben Earle, FTND Executive Director.
"Our OPG community has been very kind and generous over the years and we are so thankful and truly grateful for this additional support that will help us to continue to meet the need and support those who need a hand in the crucial days and months ahead," added Robyn McKibbon, FTND Community Engagement Coordinator.
OPG has already provided $750,000 to support organizations helping the food vulnerable across Ontario. The company has also focused on helping frontline health care workers by donating 700,000 surgical masks, 75,000 N95 masks and 17,500 Tyvek protective suits to the Province of Ontario for distribution to hospitals and care facilities in need; providing 10 Power Assisted Air Purification Respirators (PAAPRs) to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre; and partnering with Ontario Tech to develop protective shields using 3D printers. Learn more about OPG's efforts against the spread of COVID-19.
About Feed the Need in Durham: FTND is a unique and innovative organization, founded through collaboration, with a focus on collective impact. Working with 57 emergency food providers and 5 school nutrition programs across Durham, they were able to distribute 1.22 million meals in 2019 to those in need in the community, supporting 37,750 visits each month, 40 per cent of whom are children. To support their efforts, visit the FTND website.
SOURCE Ontario Power Generation Inc.
OPG Media Relations, 416-592-4008 or 1-877-592-4008, Follow us @opg
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