COVID-19 is impacting all of us in different ways and we are seeing the negative effects disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations. Individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and government all have a role to play in our recovery.
As a company with a purpose beyond profit, Libro acts as a trusted advisor to our Owners, providing solid advice and support through these challenging times. We believe we have a role to play in building strong communities through investment, advocacy and leadership in partnership with our local not-for-profit organizations.
While we typically look to tackle issues at the root cause through four key pillars: Employment, Financial Resilience, Local Food Accessibility and Housing, there are times when providing emergency relief is the boost the community needs. Local non-profits are integral to recovery and it is estimated that one in five could be forced to close by the end of the year (Ontario Nonprofit Network survey). We are committed to supporting our communities now and well into the future–it is part of our DNA.
How can you help local non-profits?
A solid COVID-19 recovery plan will require thinking differently. We are part of a community call to action — a collaborative initiative that seeks to identify gaps and trends and pairs that with a comprehensive list of potential actions to address the social and economic impacts of COVID-19. You can be part of this community call to action by:
- Informing yourself
- Donating to charitable organizations that are struggling, if you’re able
- Elevating the conversation in your network and online
- Talking to your local government officials
Easing the economic burden on non-profits
Libro has invested $60,000 in the following community organizations across southwestern Ontario, most of them Food Banks, to help with the increasing needs across the region. One in eight households in Canada already visit a food bank regularly (Food Banks Canada).
Non-profit organizations in southwestern Ontario
WINDSOR-ESSEX
The Unemployed Help Centre is the distribution hub for the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association. This year, they have collectively served 113,000 families with 6,000 of them being first-time food bank users. Throughout the pandemic, the Windsor Essex Food Bank Association opened multiple drive-through food hubs, ensuring people received food in a safe, no-contact way.
“We are so thankful to Libro for this extremely generous donation,” says June Muir, CEO of Unemployed Help Centre. “No person should go hungry and heading into the holiday season, a donation of this magnitude will help us to ensure we can provide for all those who access our food bank association for assistance.”
HALDIMAND NORFOLK
- Haldimand-Norfolk REACH (Nutrition for Learning program)
- Haldimand-Norfolk Women’s Services (Housing)
HURON PERTH
- Huron County Food Bank Distribution Center
- House of Blessing (Stratford)
- Salvation Army (Listowel)
LAMBTON KENT MIDDLESEX
- Inn of the Good Shepherd (Sarnia)
- Chatham Outreach for Hunger
- Salvation Army Food Bank (Strathroy)
- Forest Food Bank
- Watford Food Bank
LONDON ELGIN OXFORD
- London and area Food Bank
- St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank
- Emergency Food Services Oxford, Salvation Army
WATERLOO
If any of the non-profits listed above speak to you, we encourage you, if you’re able, to consider donating to help those struggling this holiday season.