The Manitoba government is investing $1.75 million to create the Food Security Fund to support not-for-profit community organizations offset the rising cost of food as a result of global inflation pressures.
“We know that food banks and other not-for-profit community groups who assist Manitobans with their food needs have been feeling the effects of inflation,” said Families Minister Rochelle Squires. “Costs of groceries and other essentials are rising, while these same organizations are also grappling to keep up with growing demand. This new fund will offer immediate financial assistance to help these essential organizations maintain the important work they are doing to support Manitobans in need across the province.”
Applications for the Food Security Fund will be open from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10. Organizations can apply for a maximum amount of $225,000. Applications and eligibility details can be found at gov.mb.ca.
Eligible organizations must:
- be legally incorporated not-for-profit community organizations;
- have a primary mandate of addressing food insecurity (e.g. food banks, soup kitchens) or have a food security initiative in addition to other programming (e.g. a community resource centre that also provides emergency food packs);
- at least two years of experience with initiatives that address food insecurity; and
- experience building partnerships with other not-for-profit and private sector organizations to support Manitobans.
The Food Security Fund is part of the wider $86-million Family Affordability Package the province recently announced to provide families with children, seniors living on fixed incomes, and Manitobans who are hurting the most with financial benefits to help ease the burden of rising costs and high inflation, the minister noted.
To find out more about the Family Affordability Package, visit manitoba.ca.
