MOSAIC COMMITS $2.5M TO HUNGER PROGRAMS
Funding flows to non-profit organizations through three-year grants
The Mosaic Company has committed $2.5 million to fund food security and education initiatives around the province over the next three years.
Twelve non-profit organizations based in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw gathered Wednesday at the Regina and District Food Bank for the announcement.
Under an ongoing commitment, the funding from Mosaic flows through three-year grant agreements, providing community groups a chance to better plan and build capacity year over year.
These are the recipients and how the money gets used:
SASKATCHEWAN SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION (SSBA)
The Extreme School Makeover Challenge provides 10 schools awards of $10,000 for nutrition and hunger-relief programs. There is a Walk to Breakfast event each September to celebrate the winners, held at one of the winning schools.
REGINA SALVATION ARMY
Funds two community programs for at-risk students: The Backpack Feeding Program provides 80 weekend meals to students during the school year; The Brown Bag School Feeding Program provides lunch to 725 children each week.
REGINA EDUCATION AND ACTION ON CHILD HUNGER (REACH)
Funding helps provide fresh produce boxes delivered to over 35 neighbourhoods, community mobile healthy food stores, healthy home delivery for seniors, nutrition, education and cooking classes for adults, teens and children and Christmas food baskets.
REGINA AND DISTRICT FOOD BANK
Funding helps with the food bank’s annual food drive across Regina. In 2018, a record 448 tons of food was collected. It also sponsors the Urban Agriculture Project, a four-season greenhouse with garden towers distributed to schools across the city.
SOULS HARBOUR RESCUE MISSION
Souls Harbour recently built a new dining hall, allowing it to serve 250 supper meals per day. The space also serves as a men’s emergency shelter in the evenings.
CARMICHAEL OUTREACH INC.
Carmichael is building a new kitchen, expected to be completed this year, at its new location, allowing staff to serve more meals and serve them indoors. Carmichael serves an average of 60,000 meals each year.
SASKATOON CHEP GOOD FOOD INC.
The community food markets program provides fresh, affordable food to community centres in low-income areas of Saskatoon. Food is provided at prices 20 to 30 per cent less than a local grocery store or convenient store.
SASKATOON FOOD BANK AND LEARNING CENTRE
The Gardening 101 Program takes place in The Garden Patch, a 11/2-acre urban farm in Saskatoon. Program participants are community members with experience in food security. They learn about sustainability, food production, food systems, leadership, communications and relationship building.
MOOSE JAW WAKAMOW VALLEY AUTHORITY
A community garden grows produce each summer for three food agencies — Hunger in Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw and District Food Bank, Riverside Mission — as well as the Moose Jaw Multicultural Council.
HUNGER IN MOOSE JAW
The Child Nutrition Program provides healthy lunches to schoolchildren and other vulnerable people in Moose Jaw. Approximately 300 lunches are served daily to 18 schools.
RIVERSIDE MISSION IN MOOSE JAW
Funding provides a holiday meal. Mosaic also sponsors an annual Harvest Banquet fundraiser.
MOOSE JAW AND DISTRICT FOOD BANK
Funding helped purchase a new van for food transport.