Manitoba Turkey Producers and Exceldor Cooperative have come together to donate $10,000 worth of turkey to the province’s South East Helping Hands food banks.
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be felt, food insecurity remains high and the demands on local food banks has increased significantly. The South East Helping Hands Niverville location alone has seen an increase in demand of over 50 percent.
“Thousands of families across Manitoba have been affected greatly due to the pandemic, including those in our rural communities,” said Rachelle Brown, Chair, Manitoba Turkey Producers. “We’re very excited to be partnering with Exceldor Cooperative and working with our farmers to be putting back locally produced turkey into our communities who need it most.”
The two organizations are together providing 576 whole frozen turkeys to the food banks, which each weigh between 4-5 kg. The turkeys were sourced from the Exceldor Cooperative plant in Blumenort, Manitoba.
“In this time of uncertainty, it’s important for us to give back to our community. We’re proud to partner with Manitoba Turkey Producers on their rural food banks initiative,” said Rod Harder, General Manager, Western Operations at Exceldor Cooperative. “We understand that many families across Manitoba have been greatly impacted by the pandemic and we want to ensure we are doing our part the help our community.”
The donation will be shared between the food bank’s three primary locations: South East Helping Hands (Steinbach, Ste. Anne & Area), Niverville Helping Hands (Niverville & Area) and Grunthal Caring Hands (Grunthal & Area). These food banks serve a critical need in Manitoba by providing emergency supplies and food for over 25 communities that have been impacted by the pandemic.
“Niverville Helping Hands was ecstatic to hear that we were chosen as one of the local food hampers to receive a donation of Turkeys. This is a massive help to our clients,” said Lillis Corriveau, Chair, Niverville Helping Hands. “Since COVID-19 we have moved to strictly a nonperishable hamper. Having properly packaged, inspected and frozen meat allows our clients to use the grocery vouchers we provide them to purchase fresh veggies, bread and cheese or whatever else they are lacking. It helps make both the hampers and vouchers go further.”
This announcement follows the mid-April launch of The Wishbone Project by the Turkey Farmers and Processors of Canada. The project is the organization’s national umbrella for giving through funds and food. In addition to the donation to South East Helping Hands, Manitoba Turkey Producer’s has also donated $3,125 through The Wishbone Project to the Siloam Mission to support the work it’s doing to keep Manitobans in need fed. The Wishbone Project has raised over $150,000 to support mental health initiatives and organizations fighting food insecurity both nationally and locally.
