Bridges To Hope Upgrades Will Benefit People in Need
News Release
Government of Canada funding will help organization improve services and accessibility
September 23, 2016 – St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
An investment announced today by the Government of Canada for upgrades to the Bridges To Hope community food pantry will enhance client programs and provide greater access to services for individuals and families in need.
Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a $100,250 contribution through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) for Bridges To Hope at an event held in St. John’s.
Through this project, Bridges To Hope will expand and upgrade its food pantry, including construction of a larger, wheelchair accessible waiting area for clients, a more streamlined and efficient hamper assembly area for volunteers and staff, and a new space that will increase food storage capacity. These improvements will enable Bridges To Hope to better serve the needs of current and future clients in a safe, respectful and welcoming environment.
Bridges To Hope is a non-profit organization committed to reducing the effects of poverty on individuals and families throughout the Northeast Avalon. For over 25 years, the organization has been providing clients from all walks of life with access to nutritional food through its community kitchen and food pantry. In 2015 the food pantry served over 8,500 individuals and families and the number is expected to increase significantly in 2016.
CIP 150 is providing up to $300 million nationally over two years to support projects to rehabilitate, renovate and expand community and recreational infrastructure as part of the Government of Canada’s activities to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation. The program is delivered in Newfoundland and Labrador by ACOA.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in community infrastructure that helps ensure people have affordable and accessible gathering spaces to find support and enrich their quality of life. CIP 150 projects like this one with Bridges To Hope remind us of the places that provide important programs and services and make our communities stronger.
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“This investment will improve a key piece of infrastructure that is delivering a valuable service to the community and improving the lives of those in need in the Northeast Avalon region. The work being undertaken by Bridges To Hope is a true example of the community spirit and giving nature we proudly display in Newfoundland and Labrador and I commend the staff and volunteers for their unwavering dedication to helping others and making a difference in the community.”
- Seamus O’Regan, Member of Parliament for St. John’s South-Mount Pearl
“Bridges To Hope could not have met the current or future demand for food aid assistance without this infrastructure upgrade. A newly renovated food pantry will enable us to greet our community in a welcoming respectful environment, ensure our shelves are well stocked, and offer our volunteers a safe comfortable place from which to prepare food hampers.”
- Heather Elliott, Program Director, Bridges To Hope
Associated Links
Contacts:
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Heather Elliott
Program Director
Bridges To Hope
709-722-9225
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