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Organizations around the North giving back during the holidays

Food banks, women’s shelters among beneficiaries of seasonal contributions

Organizations around the North are pitching in to help make Christmas a little brighter for those who live in the communities in which they operate.

In Thunder Bay, a trio of business leaders contributed a total of $20,000 to Shelter House-Thunder Bay, which provides short-term relief to those in need of shelter, food, clothing, and access to resources to support their transition towards successful independent living.

The giving began with a donation from Titus Semple, founder of Semple Enterprises, who gave $10,000 to the organization, challenging others to give where they could.

Brent Massaro, president of Thunder Bay Broom & Chemicals, and Jeff Stout, president and COO at North Star Air, met the challenge, contributing another $10,000.

“We are absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity we have received from Titus’ challenge to donate to Shelter House,” said Kimberley Kennedy, Shelter House’s development officer, in a news release.

“These donations will have such an incredible impact on our community, and they will truly help us be there for others when they need it most.”

In Sudbury, organizers of the Vale/USW Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive wrapped up another successful year.

The event, which has run for 33 years, is expected to collect more than 112 tons of food and $233,000 in financial contributions for the Sudbury Food Bank.

The initiative was started by Edgar Burton, a former Vale Divisional Shops employee after his daughters asked if they could start collecting food for the less fortunate. Today, Vale and the USW work together to host the event.

Since its inception, the food drive has collected more than 1,500 tons of food.

“This year has certainly had its challenges, but it’s also demonstrated the importance of coming together to support one another,” said Dino Otranto, Vale’s chief operating officer of its North Atlantic Operations and Asian Refineries, in a release.

Otranto was in Sudbury in mid-December to present an additional $50,000 donation on behalf of Vale’s Sudbury employees. 

That follows $100,000 in funding the company provided the Sudbury Food Bank earlier this year to help address rising demand due to COVID-19.

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Instead of holiday get-togethers for its staff, EACOM Timber Corp. contributed nearly $25,000 to donate to local charities and food banks. The donation works out to roughly $20 per employee.

From Ear Falls, recipients include the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre, the Ear Falls Cheer Board, and the Dryden Food Bank.

In the Elk Lake area, Christmas Wish in New Liskeard will benefit, as will Children’s Christmas in Gogama.

From Nairn Centre, the donation will go toward the Lions Christmas Telethon, and in Sault Ste. Marie, a contribution will be made to Toonies for Tummies and Twinkie Foundation.

Donations will also be made to Unissons la famille Matagami in Matagami, Que., and to Les Paniers de noël from the sites in Sullivan & Val-d’Or, Que.

"This year has brought some unique challenges, especially to community organizations, who could not hold their usual fundraising activities,” EACOM president Kevin Edgson said in a release.

“As an essential industry, we have been able to continue to be an economic driver while safeguarding staff and suppliers. It is our privilege to share our good fortune with those in need.”

In Sault Ste. Marie, fuels marketer and distributor McDougall Energy has donated $20,000 toward three local organizations.

Recipients include the Edgar Burton Christmas Food Drive/Sudbury Food Bank in Sudbury, the ELLEVIVE Women’s Shelter in Timmins, and Manitoulin Family Resources on Manitoulin Island.

The funds come from McDougall Energy's Community Investment Program, which focuses on four key areas: education, health care, minor sports, and animals.

"This has been a very challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to help brighten up the holidays for deserving individuals in the communities we serve, and where our customers and employees live," said Darren McDougall, president of McDougall Energy, in a release.

"McDougall Energy is built on the support of our customers, and we are committed to giving back through our Community Investment Program to the dedicated organizations that help make a difference every day."

In northwestern Ontario, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is donating thousands of dollars to local food banks in multiple communities.

Donations include: $5,000 each for the Regional Food Distribution Association, the Rural Cupboard Food Bank (Thunder Bay area), and food banks in Ignace, Dryden, Kenora and Red Lake; $3,000 each for the Lakehead University and Confederation College student relief funds; and $5,000 each for the Thunder Bay Indigenous Friendship Centre, Dryden Native Friendship Centre, Ne-Chee Friendship Centre (Kenora), Atikokan Native Friendship Centre, United Native Friendship Centre (Fort Frances).

The organization is also making donation to partner First Nations, including Grand Council Treaty #3 ($15,000), Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and Saugeen Ojibway Nation ($10,000), Aboriginal People of Wabigoon ($5,000), Métis Nation of Ontario ($15,000), and Historic Saugeen Métis ($5,000).

NWMO is also giving $8,000 to the City of Dryden for youth wellness kits, and $16,500 to First Nation communities it works with to help cover the cost of several Christmas hamper programs.

Mark Halabecki, chair of the Rural Cupboard Food Bank, which serves communities around Thunder Bay, welcomed the $5,000 his organization is receiving.

"Since our catchment area is very large and stretches from the US border to Pass Lake, and west to Upsala, this donation will help us ensure no one who needs food in these rural communities will go hungry," Halabecki said.

– With files from TBNewsWatch