Food banks receive $50K donation from York Regional Police Association

The donation will help deliver more than 300,000 meals to the region's network of agencies, including the Newmarket Food Pantry

Newmarkettoday.ca
June 3, 2020

The 2,400 civilian and uniformed members of York Regional Police Association (YRPA) are helping out the Food Bank of York Region in a big way. Today, YRPA has made a $50,000 donation to help support York Region’s 17 local food pantries at a time when food is in short supply. The donation is expected to help deliver over 300,000 meals to the Food Bank of York Region’s network of agencies and home delivery service.

“COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many new challenges for our communities, and the role of our local food banks has never been more important. There are a lot of people in York Region not working because of the pandemic. We have individuals, families and children who are struggling to put food on their tables,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “Our members wanted to team up with the Food Bank of York Region during this time of uncertainty to help our local communities.”

Before the pandemic, there were about 24,000 people accessing the network of food bank services across York Region. Usage has risen by 15 per cent over the last four months, with the Food Bank of York Region serving over 5,500 households since January 2020.

YRPA’s donation to the Food Bank of York Region will help to delivery nutritious fresh, frozen and non-perishable food to their network of local food banks, that include: Apple Creek 7th Day Adventist Church-Markham, Aurora Food Pantry, Chasdei Kaduri Jewish Food Bank, Georgina Community Food Pantry, Holland Landing Food Pantry, Master’s Pantry Food Bank in Unionville, Markham Food Bank, 105 Gibson Markham Food Bank, Mount Albert Food Pantry, Newmarket Food Panty, Northridge Community Church Food Pantry, Richmond Hill Community Food Bank, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church-Maple and Vaughan’s Humanity First Food Bank.

Part of the funding will also be distributed to King Township Food Bank, Vaughan Food Bank and Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank who are outside of the Food Bank of York Region’s network.

“The cheque provided by the York Regional Police Association demonstrates their commitment to serve and protect the residents of York Region. We applaud their act of generosity during this extraordinarily difficult time for residents who have been negatively impacted by the state of emergency,” remarks Alex Bilotta, CEO and Founder of the Food Bank of York Region. “We pray that our officers and their families will be kept safe from all threats including COVID 19.  From myself, our board of directors, our staff and all our community partners, thank you for your service!”

“We have seen the people of York Region come together to help one another during these unprecedented times,” said Rob O’Quinn, President, York Regional Police Association. “The Food Bank of York Region and our local food pantries are doing an amazing job to assist so many people, and our members are proud to partner with them to help those struggling get through this tough time.”

Food banks in York Region are doubling up on their efforts to provide meals to those in the community who are affected by the COVID-19 economic impact, as well as those families and individuals experiencing food insecurities. If you’re able, consider donating today to help them serve our communities during this pandemic.  Volunteers, in addition to individuals and communities that want to host food drives, or fundraisers will help support the Food Bank of York Region’s efforts to ensure our neighbours in need can continue to access food.  For more information, please visit fbyr.ca/get-involved