City provides additional funding to support the Community’s most vulnerable during COVID-19 Pandemic

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 Food Bank and the Salvation Army to support emergency food services throughout the rest of the year as part of the COVID-19 Response Plan.

The City recognizes that residents may experience additional financial pressures this fall. With an additional $130,000 in funding from the Social Services Relief Fund, local emergency food providers will continue their important efforts and expand home delivery options for individuals and families in need of emergency food due to the COVID-19 crisis. The Food Bank will lead the planning and coordination in the City of Brantford and the Salvation Army will lead the efforts in the County of Brant.

The funding comes from the $1.28 million that was allocated to the region in April to protect those most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal government committed an additional $309,962 through Reaching Home – Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, while the Provincial government committed an additional $970,300 in supports through the Social Services Relief Fund.

Since March, the City’s Health and Human Services staff has been working with partners within the health sector and emergency shelter operators to implement a co-ordinated COVID-19 Response Plan. Funding was used to support community food programs throughout April, May and June with $130,000 allocated to purchase over 279,538 pounds of food, which provided 141,206 meals to over 20,000 residents. Additionally, the funding was used to support over 20 community food providers with food and supplies needed to sustain their programs.

A primary objective of the 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. Shelters were provided with necessary items including additional staffing, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies and mechanisms to improve physical distancing. Due to continued efforts from staff, the plan has been successfully implemented and no outbreaks have been reported in the Emergency Shelter system in Brantford.

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), individuals in the County are encouraged to call the Salvation Army at 519-752-7814 or 519-442-3432.

Quotes

“I am very proud of the City’s efforts in supporting Brantford’s most vulnerable citizens during this very challenging time. 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 grateful for the additional funding support from the Federal and Provincial governments. Emergency food services are imperative to those in need in our communities and we are thrilled to see this important work continue through these unprecedented times. Thank you to the local partners who work endlessly to provide these services to County of Brant residents as well as the City for administering the programs.” - County of Brant Mayor, David Bailey

“We are pleased to receive this renewed funding from the City of Brantford, to provide ongoing emergency food support to our community. This funding will continue to provide food and support to the Brantford Food Bank and to the network of Community Food Share organizations that provide food in our community. As COVID-19 support programs for individuals end and change, we are committed to working with our partners and the City of Brantford to ensure no one goes hungry by providing emergency support to anyone needing emergency food assistance.” - Heather Vanner, Executive Director, Brantford Food Bank

 “The Salvation Army is committed to continue to provide emergency food services to the residents of the County of Brant during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very grateful to work together with community partners to ensure that all individuals and families have access to healthy and nutritious food during this crisis.” - William Ratelband, Community & Family Services Coordinator

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Media Contact:

Heather Carvalho | Communications Specialist, Communications and Community Engagement
City of Brantford | 519.759.4150 ext. 5741 | hcarvalho@brantford.ca