City provides additional funding to continue to support our community’s most vulnerable

BRANTFORD, ON - As the social assistance and homelessness service provider for both the City of Brantford and the County of Brant, the City is pleased to announce the continuation of ongoing partnerships with the Brantford Food Bank and the Salvation Army to support emergency food services in the coming months as part of the City’s ongoing COVID-19 Response Plan.

As a result of the ongoing pandemic, many individuals and families are still experiencing additional financial pressures. The continuation of this vital program allows local emergency food providers to continue their important efforts to help those in most need. This includes expanding home delivery options to individuals and families in need of emergency food due to impacts caused by the pandemic. The Food Bank will continue to lead the planning and coordination in the City of Brantford and the Salvation Army will lead the efforts in the County of Brant.

The additional $130,000 of funding is part of the $3.94 million that was allocated to our region between April and December 2020 to protect those most vulnerable during the ongoing pandemic. The Federal government committed $747,400 through Reaching Home – Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, while the Provincial government committed an additional $3.2 million through the Social Services Relief Fund aimed to assist with COVID-19 related supports and programs.

Since March 2020, the City’s Community Services and Social Development staff has been working with partners in the health sector and emergency shelter operators to implement a co-ordinated COVID-19 Response Plan. Funding was used to support community food programs in the Spring and Fall last year. In total, the funding support enabled the purchase of approximately 755, 819 pounds of food and provided 521,505 meals for those in need. Additionally, over 20 community food providers were supported with food and supplies needed to sustain their essential programs.

Another primary objective of the City’s Covid-19 Response Plan is to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19 among individuals experiencing homelessness, both within and outside the Emergency Shelter system. With this much needed funding support, mitigation efforts have been enhanced. To reduce the risk of transmission, shelters have provided with necessary additional staffing, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and mechanisms to improve physical distancing.

How to access services

Individuals in the city of Brantford who are looking for more information about food security services are encouraged to call the Brantford Food Bank at 519-751-HELP (4357), while individuals in the County are encouraged to call the Salvation Army at 519-752-7814 or 519-442-3432.

Quotes

“Brantford’s most vulnerable citizens need our support during what continues to be a very challenging time, and I am very proud of the City’s response efforts over the past year. We are fully committed to continuing to work very closely with our community partners to enhance their ability to support individuals and families who need food assistance or those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.” - Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis

“We are thankful for the additional funding to support emergency food services during this unprecedented time. It is critical to serve those in need in our communities and we are thrilled to see this important work continue.  We are grateful to the local partners who provide these services to County of Brant residents and to the City for administering the programs.” - County of Brant Mayor, David Bailey

“The continued support we are receiving from the City of Brantford ensures we can provide ongoing emergency food support to our community. The Brantford Food Bank and their network of Community Food Share organizations have been able to provide consistent and additional food support to our community. From March to December 2020, we have been able to provide over 700,000 lbs of food and grocery products to our community and partners, valued at $1.8 million. As COVID-19 continues to create challenges to individuals and families we continue to work with the community to ensure access to emergency food assistance for whoever may need it.” - Heather Vanner, Executive Director, Brantford Food Bank

“The Salvation Army is very thankful to continue to provide emergency food assistance to residents in the County of Brant as this pandemic continues to affect our community. Throughout the fall of 2020 and into 2021, we have continued to serve our most vulnerable with compassion and dignity. We have ensured that no one will be left behind!” - William Ratelband, Community & Family Services Coordinator

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Media Contact:

Heather Carvalho | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 226.388.3898 | hcarvalho@brantford.ca

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