Local REALTORS® Support the Sharing Place Food Centre
HUNTSVILLE– The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® has donated to the Sharing Place Food Centre as part of their Ontario REALTORS Care® and Tragic Relief Fund programs. This financial support is in response to the pandemic, the impacts of which are being felt by hundreds of local families and individuals, as well as the people who are working tirelessly to help feed the region’s most vulnerable residents.
“It was wonderful to receive the generous donation from The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® during COVID-19,” says Chris Peacock, Executive Director of The Sharing Place Food Centre. “The economic impact and job losses during this time have made it difficult for many families and individuals to afford food. The support we received allows us to invest in fresh, healthy food for many vulnerable households across our region.”
According to Food Banks Canada, the number of people requiring help has skyrocketed by at least 20 percent in most regions across the country since the lockdown began, with projections that these numbers will continue to rise in the weeks and months to come.
The Sharing Place provides a four-day emergency supply of healthy food once a month to families and individuals who identify as food insecure and 32 percent of their members are children. This type of support from the corporate sector is vital.
“During these unprecedented times, the most vulnerable members of our community have been impacted the hardest,” says local REALTOR® D’Arcy Hunt who represents Orillia on The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors. “It is important for our association to assist our community by giving back. By donating to the local food bank in Orillia, local REALTORS® are giving a helping hand in the hope that none of our local citizens have to go hungry to keep a roof over their head.”
Between the two organizations – the association’s Tragic Relief Fund and The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation – The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® has donated $10,780 to food banks in the regions they represent (Haliburton, Muskoka, Orillia and Parry Sound) in response to the pandemic.
Provincially, the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) has donated $480,000 to Ontario shelters and shelter-based charities through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. OREA’s donation will reach the most vulnerable populations through more than 50 shelters and food banks across Ontario.
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The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, formerly the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation was established in 1967. The Foundation supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario, making a difference in the lives of people and communities where REALTORS® live and conduct business.
The Lakelands Association of REALTORS® holds a Tragic Relief fund in their budget to help support significant local causes. The committee responsible for the fund considers tragic events throughout Parry Sound, Muskoka, Orillia and Haliburton that require an injection of funds to prevent further impact.
For more information contact:
Crystal Henderson, Executive Director of The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®
chenderson@thelakelands.ca