Food Bank of York Region expanded support thanks to $373,500 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant

The grant helped the FBYR's capacity to collect and deliver more fresh healthy foods

Yorkregion.com
June 4, 2021
Aileen Zangouei

The Food Bank of York Region reported that the $373,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) helped support vulnerable people living in the region.

"The OTF Grow Grant significantly increased our capacity to collect and deliver more fresh healthy foods to a growing number of residents in York Region that are economically challenged and require food support," said Alex Bilotta, the CEO of the Food Bank of York Region.

The OTF is an agency of the government of Ontario and one of Canada's leading granting foundations. In 2020, the OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

The FBYR received the grant in late 2017 over a period of three years. At the start, the OTF grant was intended to help the 15,000 individuals served by the FBYR network. Over the last three yeas, it has actually supported up to 24,000 people.

"We managed to meet or exceed every performance marker that we wrote in our proposal. This investment in the FBYR supported positive, measurable change for the communities in the region," Bilotta said.

With the help of the grant, the FBYR bought a brand new 24-foot refrigerated truck. Also, it helped cover fuel costs, insurance coverage and compensated the salary of one full-time truck driver for three years.

The funds were also put toward overhead, administration and other costs that were accrued.

Thornhill MPP Gila Martow, said, "COVID-19 has highlighted just how big of an issue food insecurity is for many in our community."

"This funding will help ensure our most vulnerable won't go to bed with an empty stomach," Martow said.

The FBYR is the regional food hub network serving Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina and King. They source, collect, warehouse, and deliver surplus fresh, frozen, and non-perishable food donations for the over 80 local front-line service agencies within their network