Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security commits $1.3 million to three organizations

Who: The Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security

What: The charity has committed more than $1.3 million to organizations working to alleviate food insecurity across Canada. 

Those include The Alex Community Health Centre in Calgary, Community Food Centres Canada and Food Banks Canada.

At The Alex, funds will support the non-profit’s Community Wellness model that seeks to help low-income Calgarians with "wrap-around" services alongside medical care. It will also allow the centre to assess the impact of these services.

The organization will integrate food access programming alongside services that will support clients with mental health management, substance use and addictions support and social skill development. 

Funding from The Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security will help Community Food Centres Canada grow its Knowledge Exchange program, which provides a platform and networking opportunities for food security organizations across Canada to build their knowledge and impact.

Finally, Food Banks Canada has partnered with the Environics Institute with the support of the Maple Leaf Centre to develop a material deprivation index that will tell a more detailed story of the experience of poverty and food insecurity in Canada

"Our investments in these projects reflects the recognition that food-insecure folks need to be met where they're at and receive support today – through the healthcare system as well as through community food organizations," said Sarah Stern, leader of the Maple Leaf Centre, in a release. "We also recognize the importance of investing in capacity building and research to be able to push for the longer-term systemic changes that will address root causes – including insufficient income."

With these new projects, the charity has made granting commitments of nearly $11 million since its launch in late 2016.