$271,365 in pandemic relief funding dispersed to area non-profits, charities

Local organizations are getting a $271,365 boost in COVID-19 relief funding from the Canadian government, Sault Ste. Marie MP Terry Sheehan announced in a press release issued this morning. 

This funding is in addition to the $306,000 announced in the fall, bringing the total amount to $577,365 through the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). 

"The ECSF provides critical support for community-based organizations that have experienced a drastic increase in demand for their services since the start of the pandemic," Sheehan said. "Locally, the United Way and the Algoma Community Foundation have done a wonderful job of highlighting to us, the most urgent needs of our vulnerable populations, and helping to distribute the federal support where it is needed most.” 

The full release is as follows: 

COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on vulnerable Canadians, creating a greater need for community-based supports. This is why the Government of Canada has been working with national partners—Community Foundations of Canada, Canadian Red Cross and United Way Centraide Canada—to disburse the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). Locally the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District, and the Algoma Community Foundation are responsible disbursing the funds.  

MP Terry Sheehan is pleased to announce that Sault Ste. Marie charities and non-profits have received $271,365 in funding through the Emergency Community Foundation. In the fall MP Sheehan announced $306,000 which brings the total amount of funding to $577,365.   

The following is a list of charities and non-profit recipients of the ECSF: 

• Phoenix Rising Non-Profit Homes and Women's Centre Inc.
 
• Sault Ste. Marie Soup Kitchen Community Centre

• The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association
 
• Waabinong Head Start Family Resource Centre
 
• Algoma Community Legal Clinic Inc.

• Algoma Family Services
 
• Welcome Friend
 
• Sault Ste. Marie Indian Friendship Centre
 
• Habitat for Humanity for Sault Ste. Marie and Area
 
• Easter Seals Sault Ste. Marie
 
• Pauline's Place Youth and Women's Shelter
 
• VON Algoma
 
• Kidney Foundation
 
• Canadian Mental Health Association
 
• Salvation Army
 
• Algoma Residential Community Hospice
 
• The Metis Nation of Ontario Cultural Commission on behalf of the Metis Nation of Ontario Region 4
 
• Women In Crisis (Algoma) Inc.
 
• John Howard Society of Sault Ste. Marie
 
• Ken Brown Recovery Home Inc.
  

The Government of Canada recognizes that charities and non-profit organizations are undertaking essential frontline work, all while facing their own fundraising and service delivery challenges. This funding has allowed organizations to offer various services, such as:         

• increasing volunteer-based home deliveries of groceries and medications;       
• providing transportation services, like accompanying or driving seniors or persons with disabilities to appointments;       
• scaling up help lines that provide information and support;       
• providing training, supplies and other required supports to volunteers so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the COVID-19 response; and      
• replacing in-person, one-on-one contact and social gatherings with virtual contact through phone calls, texts, teleconferences or the internet.  

Quotes

“The ECSF provides critical support for community-based organizations that have experienced a drastic increase in demand for their services since the start of the pandemic.  Locally, the United Way and the Algoma Community Foundation have done a wonderful job of highlighting to us, the most urgent needs of our vulnerable populations, and helping to distribute the federal support where it is needed most.” - Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament, Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development (FedNor)  

“Canadian charities and non-profit organizations play a vital role in our communities. But the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing real challenges to these important organizations. The Government of Canada is pleased to support these organizations through the Emergency Community Support Fund so that they can continue to help the most vulnerable members of our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.” - The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development