Winnipeg, May 25, 2020 — The Teamsters Canada Foundation is donating $8,000 to a charity in Manitoba: Winnipeg Harvest.

Winnipeg Harvest is a non-profit community organization that collects and shares surplus food with the hungry and offers training opportunities to help people escape poverty. The organization’s ultimate goal is to eliminate the need for community food banks.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously impacted people’s incomes and their ability to feed their family,” said Randy Powers, President of the Prairies Joint Council of the Teamsters Union. “Teamsters Canada Foundation decided to engage directly with charities in light of the enormous need, and because we never shy away from a major challenge to help community members.”

“We are so grateful for this generous gift from the Teamsters Canada Foundation. You are Harvest Heroes,”  said Keren Taylor-Hughes, CEO of Winnipeg Harvest. “COVID-19 has sent more Manitobans to foodbanks than to hospitals, and we expect to feel the ripple effects for months, maybe even years to come. Donations like this will help us meet the challenge of feeding hungry Manitobans in the long road ahead.”

The Teamsters Canada Foundation has pledged its support to several charitable organizations across the country, with donations totalling $300,000.

“Canadians are showing remarkable solidarity and generosity,” said François Laporte, Chairman of the Teamsters Canada Foundation and President of Teamsters Canada. “We have a duty to act when we can help our fellow citizens, and that’s what we’re doing alongside all our partners across Canada.”

Funds raised by the Teamsters Canada Foundation through its charitable activities come from private donations, not from the dues of Teamsters members. The Canada Revenue Agency also requires that foundations donate funds directly to charitable organizations rather than individuals.

The Teamsters Canada Foundation also accepts individual donations through its Web site ftcf.ca.

The mission of the Teamsters Canada Foundation is to help the most vulnerable of our society through charities present in Canadian communities. The Foundation also supports workers who want to improve their lives by retraining or by taking courses to change or advance their career. Visit ftcf.ca to find out more.

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