A Timmins mine is delivering a second wave of support for local organizations.
Glencore Kidd Operations is donating $50,000 to the United Way North East Ontario (UWCNEO) Community Response Fund, as well as $37,500 to local groups providing food to the community.
Combined with previous donations to the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation, and Timmins and District Victim Services, Glencore Kidd has donated more than $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts. It also recently partnered with Compass Brewing to produce hand sanitizer for frontline workers in the area.
The Timmins Food Bank, South Porcupine Food Bank, and the Lord's Kitchen are each receiving $12,500 from the mining company.
At the South Porcupine location, treasurer Peter Davis said their usage is 11 per cent high this year compared to 2019. From Jan. 1 to March 31, he said the food bank has served an average of 271 people per month.
"This very generous donation from Kidd Operations will go to buy perishable and non-perishable food items, hygiene items, as well as grocery store gift cards to assist our clients during these uncertain and challenging times," he said in a news release.
At the Lord's Kitchen, president Dee Russell said the timing is perfect because they are serving about 100 people a night.
"Like many other organizations we have made some adjustments in our facility to follow the physical distancing guidelines and we now serve the meals outside where everyone can properly distance themselves. Thankfully, we have had many younger volunteers step up and help our regular group of volunteers," she said.
Timmins Food Bank chair Rick Young said the cash will go directly to buying food.
"We are needing two and a half truckloads of food delivered weekly to help with the high demand we have received due to COVID-19," he said.
The money being donated to the United Way is for emergency grants to local charitable organizations.
UWCNEO executive director Mary Lou Hussak said it will bring much-needed relief to the community.
"It will help build the capacity of social service organizations in Timmins by providing financial support that will address the increased demand for services that help meet basic needs. The COVID-19 health crisis has affected our entire community but has undoubtedly had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable people, including seniors and people living in poverty. We thank Glencore Canada Corporation Kidd Operations for this generous investment and for helping to strengthen the social fabric of our community," she said in a news release.
Glencore Kidd Operations general manager Mark Furlotte said the company is thankful to be able to support the community.
"We first donated hand sanitizer to the City of Timmins for them to distribute to the front-line health care workers and now we are supporting the community by donating funds to organizations that focus on assisting those in need," he said.
