RENFREW COUNTY (Pembroke) — On Sunday, $36,000 was awarded to three local charities Renfrew District Food Bank, Robbie Dean Centre for Family Counselling and First Step Options to address food insecurity, mental health and general operating expenses. The Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation was given an allotment of $75,000 to award to local charities through Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) by Community Foundations Canada. The remaining $39,000 is yet to be granted to local charities.
“The PPDCF was created to meet the community’s greatest needs. COVID19 is having a tremendous impact on the mental health needs of all Canadians and by supporting the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre, the PPDCF is enhancing mental health services in our community for those who need it most. The $19,000 received will focus on growing the grief and loss program to ensure everyone who needs help coping with loss has access to services,” said Monique Yashinskie.
Mike Wright of the Renfrew District Food Bank received $10,000. “This grant allows us to increase our refrigeration and freezer capacity, as well as accept more perishable donations. This in turn allows our clients to receive more nutritional food and decrease their overall food insecurities.”
“First Step Options plays a vital role in Renfrew County by supporting women and their families. We greatly appreciate this ECSF grant of $7,000 through the PPDCF,” said the charity’s director Donalee Loback. “This provides crucial monies to assist in covering our operating expenses, specifically our monthly rent, during these challenging times of limited opportunities for fundraising events. This grant will allow us to continue to offer free and confidential services for our clients.”
Pembroke Petawawa District Community Foundation is reviewing and awarding funding to support projects that help ensure no one is left behind in COVID-19 recovery measures. For a full list of grants awarded through Community Foundations of Canada’s network, visit the CFC website. The ECSF is a $350 million fund that is being implemented with Community Foundations of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and United Way Centraide Canada, in partnership with local community foundations across the country. Its goal is to provide support to charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable Canadians.
Photo submitted. Donation to Renfrew Food Bank. 
Photo submitted. Donation to First Step Options.
