WELLAND, ON – As part of their ongoing Truly Local Commitment, PenFinancial Credit Union has announced a $12,000 donation to support local school nutrition programs in Niagara and Haldimand.
“With the continued impacts of inflation, ensuring children are sent to school with the nourishment they need to learn has become increasingly challenging for many families in our community,” said Theresa Bird, CEO of PenFinancial Credit Union. “We are proud to provide this charitable donation to Community Crew and the Child Nutrition Network of Haldimand & Norfolk to support their school nutrition programs leading into a new school year.”
Community Crew’s Lunch Program supports food-insecure children in the Niagara region by serving fresh, boxed lunches three days a week to 30 schools in neighbourhoods experiencing the highest levels of poverty. These include DSBN and Catholic schools in St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Thorold, and Fort Erie. With support from 80 volunteers, Community Crew delivers more than 4,000 lunches each week.
Through PenFinancial’s donation, Community Crew will be able to purchase a new commercial refrigerator to support its operations.
“Community Crew is deeply grateful for the partnership of PenFinancial in providing the funding necessary for the purchase of this new commercial refrigerator. Community Crew believes that every child should have access to healthy food each day, and we are thankful for the opportunity to provide our services to support children in Niagara who would otherwise go without,” said Stephen Cooper, Executive Director at Community Crew.
The Child Nutrition Network of Haldimand and Norfolk supports 49 breakfast, morning meal, lunch, and snack programs, providing nourishment to more than 8,700 children and youth two to five days per week during the school year.
Their Farm to School Program, running for over 13 years, allows programs to access economical, local, farm-fresh produce from a growing number of Haldimand and Norfolk farms.
Media Contact
Kerry Ould
Chief Marketing Officer, PenFinancial Credit Union
Kerry.Ould@penfinancial.com
905-580-9502