MISSION STATEMENT:

The Grocery Foundation's primary mission is to get nutritious food to hungry kids.

Donations to Charities as of June 30, 2009:

Bloorview Kids Rehab Foundation Boys & Girls Club of Kingston Capreol Child Care Centre Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Dorchester Foodbank Family & Children's Services of Guelph Frontlines Future Possibilities for Kids Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre Kawartha Lakes Food Source

Ontario Rett Syndrome Opera Hamilton Oxford Community Childcare Program Quinte Community Learning Smitty's Christmas Wish The Angel Foundation for Learning The Knights Table The Princess Margaret Hospital Fnd (Ride Conquer) Tyler Ward  Variety - The Children's Charity

Capreol child Care Centre is very fortunate to have been sponsored by their community partners, Joanne and Steve Strom, from Capreol Foodland, to receive a cheque in the amount of $1,500 from the Grocery Foundation. The non-profit centre has provided educational programs for over thirteen years and these funds will be used for craft supplies, summer trips and playground repairs at their three locations, St. Mary’s catholic School, CR Judd Public School and Immaculate Catholic School. Capreol Child Care Centre greatly appreciates the dedicated service that the Capreol Foodland and their employees give to them so the centre can provide hot meals and nutritious snacks for up to 80 children. Thank you to the community as well for using their “Cash For Kids” coupons as seen posted in over 800 grocery stores. On behalf of Capreol Child Care Centre’s children, parents and staff, we applaud and commend The Grocery Foundation, Mr & Mrs Strom from the Capreol Foodland, as well as our community partners for their efforts in improving the lives of children. Pictured are: Joanne & Steve Strom (Capreol Foodland) presenting a cheque to Ms. Bonnie Lambovitch (Kitchen Co-ordinator) of the Capreol Child Care Centre and the children of the daycare.

 

Through The Grocery Foundation, the Longos store in Burlington were able to help support the purchase of a new electronic wheelchair for Tyler, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The funds available for this donation were generated by the annual Cash For Kids coupon promotion, which runs every February in over 800 Ontario grocery stores. From left to right in picture are: Eric Michaud- Store Manager, Longos Burlington Tyler Ward- recipient Mark Sheehan- Regional Manager Lena Gow- Team Member, Longos Burlington

 

Photo:  At the cheque presentation, Left to right - Tony Vandevyvere, owner/operator, Jean Davis, Dorchester Food Bank, Barb Koenig, Front end manager.  On Friday.May 22/09 Jean Davis, the organizer of the Dorchester Foodbank, was presented with a cheque of$ 2000.00 .The funds were generated by the Cash For Kids coupon promotion at Dorchester Foodland. This program runs every February in over 800 grocery stores. A donation request sponsored by Barb Koenig of Dorchester Foodland was submitted to help support the children and families of Dorchester and surrounding areas. Jean Davis comes to Foodland 7 days a week to pick up overstock of food. She then takes it home to divide among her families in need. Any extra food she will deliver to the Soup Kitchen in London. A Foodbank Donation Bin has been in place at the exit doors of Foodland, where customers have generously donated food. We applaud Jean, and commend her efforts to improving the lives of children and families.

 

Suzanne Schiemann of Food Basics in Woodstock, left, presents a $2,000 donation to Heidi Collins, centre, and Debbie Beckett of Oxford Community Childcare Wednesday morning. The money is a donation from The Grocery Foundation and was raised through the annual Cash for Kids coupon promotion. The money is to be used to help the childcare centre pay for fresh fruit and vegetable for its clients and for the teen parent lunch program. Sun Media photo Elliot Ferguson/Woodstock Sentinel-Review/27/05/09

SOUTHLAKE REACHES OUT TO OVER 500 TEENS WITH
EATING DISORDERS

Newmarket, Ontario – Southlake Regional Health Centre is recognized nationally for the successful treatment of teens suffering from severe eating disorders. In 1997, the Hospital was designated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as the site of a Regional Eating Disorder Program serving teens in the Central East Region of Ontario, which includes York Region, Peterborough, Haliburton, Durham Region, Simcoe County, Kawartha and Pine Ridge.

Southlake relies on the generous support of the community to continue offering this renowned, life-saving program closer to home for the people of Central East Ontario. The Grocery Foundation is a major corporate supporter who recently made a donation of $57,500 to outfit the Eating Disorder Program’s classroom, education resource centre and therapeutic group room. This builds on Grocery Foundation’s previous donation of $30,000 to help support renovations to establish a permanent home for the Program within the Hospital.

“Grocery Foundation’s goal is to help children in need and help them lead happier, healthier and more productive lives,” says Chair of the Grocery Foundation Board Mr. Duncan Reith, “We are very pleased to continue with our support for Southlake’s Eating Disorders program. It is making such a difference for the young people who suffer from this sometimes tragic disease.”

 

GROCERY FOUNDATION SUPPORTS NEW CAMP-Y-ON-THE-OTTAWA MEDICAL BUILDING

Pictured from left to right are: Richard Plummer, Vice President Community and Camping Services, Brian Wilson, Owner Brian's Food Basics Ottawa, and Richard Love volunteer fundraiser responsible for the Medical Centre initiative.

Grocery Foundation's donation of $25,000 towards the new medical building is a dream come true. Camp-Y-On-The-Ottawa is a summer camp for boys and girls at the Lou Bonnenfant Centre, an operating camp of the Ottawa Region YMCA/YWCA. Each day, more than 360 children will visit the camp on a day trip basis. A new medical building to serve children was of great importance.

Duncan Reith (far left), President of Sobeys Ontario and Chairman of The Grocery Foundation presents a cheque for $75,000 to Steve Heming (2nd from left), YMCA Wanakita Director for the residential camp of the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington.

YMCA Wanakita has long standing partnerships with several special needs organizations like Hemophilia Ontario and Reach For The Rainbow, providing these children with residential camp experiences through programs that integrate all children. As well, through its annual Strong Kids campaign, YMCA Wanakita provides a camp experience to a growing number of low-income children, youth and families.

Joining in the cheque presentation are: (starting with 3rd from left) Vince Scorniaenchi, Chief Operating Officer, Fortinos Supermarkets; John McNeil, Executive Director, Grocery Foundation; Guido Alphonsi, Franchise Owner, Fortinos and Deane Collinson, Executive VP, Loblaws Supermarkets & Co-Chair of the $1.9 million YMCA Wanakita Capital Campaign.

CASH FOR KIDS DONATION TO YMCA-YWCA

Cheque presentation from Brian Wilson ( centre ), owner of Brian's Food Basics in Ottawa to Richard Love ( right ) Donor-Volunteer Co-Ordinator for the YMCA-YWCA's Partners with Youth Initiative and John Campbell, Vice President, Communications and Philanthropy for the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA.

The cheque presentation for $2000.00 was raised through the cooperative efforts of the Grocery Foundation, Brian's Food Basics, and grocers accross Ontario. The donation will go towards providing opportunities for kids, in the national capital region, to go to camps organized through the YMCA-YWCA.

GROCERY FOUNDATION DONATION TO THE WALKERTON & DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION

 

Maurice Donnelly, a member of the
foundation, left, accepted the cheque from Wagner, middle, and Ray Wright. Photo courtesy of The Walkerton Herald-Times.

 

 

The Grocery Foundation donated $897 to the Walkerton and District Health Services Foundation last week. The donation was made possible through Wright's Foodmarket's participation in the Grocery Foundation's 'Cash for Kids' coupon campaign. Wright's grocery manager Mike Wagner organized the local project and submitted a request on the foundation's behalf. The money will go toward the purchase of a pediatric/neonatal laryngoscope.

GROCERY FOUNDATION DONATION OF $25,000 TO GIANT STEPS TORONTO

Giant Steps Toronto parent Jane Van Zant receives a cheque for $25,000 from Anthony Longo, President & CEO of Longo Bros. Fruit
Markets and Grocery Foundation Director. The money will be used for therapy equipment and resource material. Giant Steps Toronto is an organization helping children with autism with specialized therapy and support servies

 

 

CASH FOR KIDS DONATION TO THE WOODSTOCK & DISTRICT BIG BROTHERS ASSOCIATION

Presenting the cheque is Chris Chapman (far right)
owner/operator of Woodstock IGA to little brother Keith Anderson.
Watching is big brother (far left) Jason VanDorp and Jane Hedges (middle)
Executive Director of Woodstock & District Big Brothers Assoc."

Woodstock & District Big Brothers Association receives a cheque for $5,000 from Grocery Foundation. Money was raised during the Cash For Kids coupon event in February. Photo courtesy of the Sentinel-Review.

 

GROCERY FOUNDATION DONATION TO KID'S ABILITY FOUNDATION

From Left to Right: Representing GIFT is Director Paul Lang, Senior V.P. & President, Consumer Foods for Schneider Foods, Harvey Reid, Chairman of the Kids Can't Wait Campaign, Braden Martz (9 year-old Ambassador) and Elaine Ormston, President, Kids Ability Foundation.

Grocery Foundation supports the Kids Ability Centre for Child Development with a donation of $40,000 to purchase high-tech equipment needed for its Augmentative Communication Services Program to asssit children who are unable to communicate effectively, either verbally or through writing.

 

 

GROCERY FOUNDATION DONATES $50,000 TO ST. MARY'S FOR CT SCANNER

 

(left to right - Mac Voisin, President, M&M Meat Shops and Board President of St. Mary's
General Hospital Foundation receives cheque from Doug Gingrich, Vice President
Sales for Schneider Foods representing GIFT.

Kitchener, ON - The Grocery Industry Foundation…Together (Grocery Foundation) has made a donation of $50,000 to be paid over two years to St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation to assist in the purchase of a CT Scanner. Grocery Foundation aims to make life better for children by supporting worthy project in communities in Ontario and eastern Canada. The annual Cash For Kids coupon campaign in 1700 grocery stores during February raised over a million dollars, and this year a portion of those funds will be directed to St. Mary's.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We are strongly committed to improving the quality of life for children who are physically, intellectually or economically challenged. We see this donation to St. Mary's as an investment in leading-edge care for the most vulnerable segment of our population - children," says John McNeil, Executive Director, Grocery Foundation.

"The CT Scanner is very useful in diagnosing illness and injury in children who arrive at St. Mary's emergency department", explains Mac Voisin, President of the hospital's Foundation. "We are so grateful that Grocery Foundation has decided to help fund this innovative technology in the interest of helping our Region's children".

 

 

 

 

GROCERY FOUNDATION DONATES $75,000 TO FINISH THE EARLSCOURT MERGE WITH THE CRECHE CAMPAIGN

 

In 2001, Grocery Foundation made an incredibly generous $100,000 three-year commitment to the Girls Connection which is the largest pledge they have every received from a foundation. Upon hearing that Earlscourt was to merge with The Creche and still $75,000 short of their $1.7 million campaign, Grocery Foundation donated the $75,000 to finish the campaign.

Grocery Foundation President Bob Brema has long been a supporter of the Girls Connection. He states "Earlscourt Child & Family Centre is helping children that others ignore. After meeting the staff, it became clear that their enthusiasm and expertise was second to none. If Grocery Foundation's financial support allowed the Earlscourt professionals to continue to help a few more smiling young faces, then the decision was obvious. Grocery Foundation is pleased to have a very small part in the ground breaking work done by the Earlscourt Girls Connection."

(from left to right in photo)
Bob Brema presents a cheque in the amount of $75,000 to Earlscourt Executive Director Ken Goldberg while Earlscourt Board Member John Gennaro looks on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOCAL GROCER RALLIES $10,000 FOR KIDS WITH AUTISM

(left to right)
Owner of Linda's Valu-Mart, Linda Pelligra
Linda's Assistant, Anita Lemm
Executive Director of Geneva Centre for Autism, Margaret Whelan Program Director of Geneva Centre for Autism, Neil Walker Board Member of Geneva Centre for Autism, Annette Hebb-Grier

 

"Linda's Valu-Mart in Leaside is doing a lot more than just selling groceries these days. The store recently helped the Geneva Centre for Austism secure a $10,000 grant through Grocery Foundation. Money was raised through the Cash For Kids coupon program which is run throughout 1200 grocery stores in Ontario during the month of February."

GROCERY FOUNDATION GIVES A "BIG BUNCH" TO BIG BROTHERS OF HALTON

(left to right)
Couple match Peter & Karen, Little Brother Simon and Dave Anderson of Anderson's Food Basics.

 

Through the efforts of Dave Anderson of Anderson's Food Basics in Oakville, a donation of $5000 was secured through Grocery Foundation's Cash for Kids program. This money will be used to support the new "Big Bunch" program run by the Big Brothers of Halton. This program will allow Little Brothers who are currently on the waiting list to become involved in a program immediately instead of sitting idle on a list until a suitable Big Brothers volunteer can be found.

$5000 GROCERY FOUNDATION GOES TO LOCAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST CLUBS

Thanks to Joe Caputo of Joe’s No Frills in Orillia, Grocery Foundation, has contributed $5,000 for the purchase of food and supplies for nutrition programs in Orillia-area schools.

Recently, Caputo presented the Grocery Foundation cheque to Don Evans, Simcoe North Consultant to Eat Well to Excel, the non-profit Simcoe County Nutrition Program for School-Age Children.

The funds were generated by Grocery Foundation’s annual Cash For Kids coupon promotion, which runs every February in over 1700 Ontario grocery stores, including Joe’s No Frills. By supporting this event, area residents enabled Grocery Foundation to make its generous contribution to the 25 school nutrition programs in the Orillia-area community.

Eat Well to Excel will provide the Cash For Kids funds to Orillia-area programs on the basis of need, Evans said.

 

 

 

 

TORONTO CITY MISSION RECEIVES GIFT

Children from the St.James Town Day Camp celebrate upon hearing the news that they have recevied a grant of $50,000 from Grocery Foundation to help purchase a new van. This van will be used to transport children to and from outside activities. Celebrating amongst the children are (left to right) Ken Little, Executive Director, Toronto City Mission, Joe Aziz, Board Member, Toronto City Mission,and Robert Brema, President, Grocery Foundation. The Toronto City Mission has been working with children and families living in poverty in Toronto since 1879. This year represents their 125th anniversary.

 

 

 

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