Office of Terry Sheehan
Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie
News Release
MP Terry Sheehan announces funding in support of local food access projects
(Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario – January 24, 2022)
Sault MP Terry Sheehan is pleased to announce federal funding from the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food for three local food access projects.
St. Vincent Place Sault Ste. Marie, established in 2003, applied for funding in support of its effort to improve its capacity to provide fresh, nutritious food. St. Vincent Place is focused on providing outreach and referral services to help those who require access to shelter, food, and other basic needs. This organization applied for funding to purchase and install a walk-in cooler and a walk-in freezer and was awarded $35,458 for that purpose.
Garden River First Nation’s Food House (Ketegaunzeebee Miijim Gaamig) applied to the Ministry of Agriculture requesting funding for two refrigerators, a custom walk-in freezer, associated installation costs for the walk-in freezer, and numerous other costs relating to the greenhouse, raised garden beds, and kitchen supplies. The Food House was awarded $88,216 toward that project.
Salvation Army Sault Ste. Marie requested funding for and received $24,000 for its Homeless Feeding Program. Specifically, this agency needed funding for new kitchen appliances (commercial refrigerator, electrical stove/hoods, countertop and sinks) and the associated installation costs, as well as kitchen equipment (pots, utensils, blender, etc.).
Quotes:
“These valued organizations have been helping to support the most vulnerable members of our community during the pandemic, providing them with comfort and assistance. Recent experience has shown how important their work is to this community and I appreciate the dedication and hard work of all those involved. I will continue to support our local organizations, and organizations across the country to ensure they are equipped to succeed in their goals.”
--Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for the Riding of Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour
“The walk-in cooler and freezer will assist in addressing and strengthening our local food system to ensure food security for our Community Members, which is top priority. Our green house and community gardens will provide the food security, food sovereignty and food sustenance to our members daily.”
--Andy Rickard, Chief of Garden River First Nation
“Like many organizations, our ability to help has been limited by the resources available to us. There have been times we would have liked to have accepted donations of fresh or frozen foods or purchased large quantities of an item when on sale, but have been prevented due to storage limitations. This funding will allow us to store those items and provide our clients with more nutritious items more often.”
--Sara McCleary, Marketing Manager, St. Vincent Place, Sault Ste. Marie
“This pandemic has created huge problems for society as a whole, but more especially for the poor and homeless. This latest grant from Agriculture Canada will help us provide the most basic of necessities to the most vulnerable of our community. Putting hot meals into bellies does not fix the problem but rather allows people to face each day with a measure of hope.”
--Major Sean Furey, Food Bank Director, Salvation Army Sault Ste. Marie
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Sandra Paul BA, MA, CHRP
Constituency Assistant
Office of MP Terry Sheehan
369 Queen Street East
Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6A 1Z4
Office landline: 705-941-2901
Call/text: 705-542-8463
