Halton, ON Local MPP Natalie Pierre met with Food for Life, a leading food rescue agency serving Halton and Hamilton, to announce a $82,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant awarded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). The grant was used to enhance program delivery through essential equipment upgrades. “This grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation helps Food for Life provide healthy fresh food to over 3000 households in our community,” said Natalie Pierre, MPP for Burlington. “The funding contributed to the purchase of new equipment that improves operations and plays a pivotal role in continuing the great work of Food for Life.”
The foundation’s financial backing has facilitated Food for Life’s resolute response to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance within the community. A myriad of upgraded tools and equipment, from the wheels on the road crisscrossing the Region to high-tech electric pallet jacks facilitating the efficient movement of food, bear witness to the substantial impact of this capital infusion.
Key elements of the grant have been directed toward bolstering efficiency, safety, and capacity. Custom shelving units, precision pallet weigh scales, heavy-duty tires, and advanced floor scrubbers have exponentially amplified the organization’s ability to carry out its mission. As the preeminent food rescue agency in the Region, these enhancements ensure Food for Life can maintain its impressive trajectory of food recovery and life-changing impact.
Melissa Bain, Director of Operations at Food for Life, highlighted the game-changing effect of this support: “Capital enhancements such as portable weigh scales that attach to our electric pallet movers have a significant impact on our efficiencies. We used to weigh each incoming pallet of food on a stationary scale, which adds a lot of labour time, especially when collecting over 4.5 million lbs. of food each year. Thanks to this capital gift, we can quickly weigh food in motion and redirect this time saved to our important service delivery in the community.”
Food for Life extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its unwavering commitment to nourishing communities through sustainable solutions. Those interested in contributing to this impactful cause can explore opportunities to donate, volunteer, and access food by visiting the official website at FoodForLife.ca.
