WOODSTOCK, Ont. — Execulink Telecom said today it providing relief to local communities in its service area during the Covid-19 pandemic by donating $5,000 to food bank organizations in Oxford, Norfolk, Lambton and Middlesex counties.
“Covid-19 is a unique situation full of challenges and adjustments, but our dedication to supporting our communities has not and will not change,” said Ian Stevens, president and CEO of Execulink Telecom, in a news release. “Our vision, mission and values guide and drive us to continue finding ways to give back to our local communities, because they’re more than customers; they’re family.”
Execulink is supporting the following food aid initiatives: St. Vincent de Paul and Mission Food Bank, both of Norfolk County; Watford Food Bank of Lambton County; Ailsa Craig Food Bank and Thrift Store of Middlesex County; and Helping Hand Food Bank and Operation Sharing — Foods for Friends, both serving Oxford County.
The 2019 Hunger Report released by Feed Ontario revealed that more than half a million people in Ontario use food banks each year, equating to more than three million unique visits, says the news release. Of those accessing food banks in Ontario, a little more than 33% are children.
“With these numbers reflecting an Ontario that was not battling a pandemic, it is expected that food banks will see an increase in visitors as unemployment rates rise,” says the release.
Some of the negative impacts of Covid-19 identified by Food Banks Canada are a dwindling volunteer force, a decrease in food supplies and a threat to financial support for food bank organizations, the release adds.
