Supplied by the United Way Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District…
Sault Ste. Marie, ON – On Friday, the United Way of Sault Ste Marie & Algoma District (United Way) welcomed members of the public for the launch of its new food security capital project. Local MPP Ross Romano was on hand to congratulate United Way and hear more about how the $150,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) Capital grant helped enhance the organization’s food security initiative in Sault Ste. Marie.

“I’m always pleased to support Harvest Algoma. We know that when a person is struggling, the best place to support them is in meeting their basic needs,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “When they are secure, they are then empowered to work towards larger goals. By providing this infrastructure funding to Harvest Algoma, this government helps to ensure that Harvest Algoma can maximize their efforts to create food stability for anyone in an economically-vulnerable position. I look forward to seeing Harvest Algoma put these tools to good use and I thank them for everything they do to help increase food security in the Sault Ste. Marie area.”

The Capital grant from OTF, helped the United Way purchase three vehicles, two greenhouses, a forklift and other equipment for the United Way Harvest Algoma food resource centre. These items support Harvest Algoma’s food rescue and food production programs as well as its surplus food distribution program.

“Food security is a relatively new topic in Sault Ste Marie and Algoma District” stated Mike Delfre, Director of Operations at United Way Harvest Algoma. The vehicles, greenhouses and other items we were able to acquire thanks to the OTF Capital grant greatly accelerated our ability to combat hunger and food insecurity in the city and district.

Food security was identified as one of 4 focus areas under the Sault Ste Marie Poverty Reduction Strategy that was released in 2017. It is estimated that 10-12 % of residents in Sault Ste Marie and the Algoma District struggle with some degree of food insecurity. Since opening its doors in July of 2018, the United Way Harvest Algoma Food Resource Centre has received and distributed over 125,000 pounds of food to approximately 28 community agencies including food banks and soup kitchens, college/university pantries, social services hubs and social agencies such as Ken Brown recovery Home, Pauline’s Place, Indian Friendship Centre, Garden River First Nation and Rebound North to name a few.

“Hunger and food insecurity are a community problem” stated United Way CEO Gary Vipond. The United Way and our partner agencies including the Salvation Army, Connect the Dots food rescue group and the Food Bank Farm are working hard to ensure that vulnerable populations have the food they need to live healthy and productive lives.

United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District is addressing the root causes of poverty, working with multiple community partners on strategies which reduce the impact of low income on the health and well-being of individuals and families in its community. United Way Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District is focusing on three of the priority community issues and their respective outcomes, Essential Services, Workforce Entry and Food Security.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $108 million to 629 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.