In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has announced a $10 million commitment to help urgently support and enhance public healthcare capacity and community response across Canada. This new funding will go toward purchasing new medical technology and equipment, such as ventilators, as well as increased support for food security, outreach to isolated seniors, virtual education programs, and mental health initiatives.

This announcement builds on the considerable efforts currently underway by our TELUS team in respect of providing telemedicine and virtual healthcare solutions for Canadians, including home health monitoring and access to one-on-one video consultations with a licensed doctor at no cost on their smartphone and from the comfort and safety of their own home. These efforts will ensure that the full force of our 2020 impact is concentrated on one singular focus of increasing our collective ability to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis.

“During this unprecedented time of crisis, and reflecting our world-leading philanthropy and volunteerism in helping our fellow citizens, we are taking responsibility to ensure our communities are fully supported. Our $10 million commitment will enable swift funding solutions where they are needed most,” said Darren Entwistle, President and CEO. “Whether providing frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable populations with supplies and technology that will keep them safe, or supporting those who are isolated and at risk during this time with virtual healthcare and mental wellness support, we will do whatever is required to help our citizens and save lives. The TELUS family is here for you: we will stand with our communities through the full duration of the COVID-19 crisis and well beyond, as we have always done. Please, be safe and stay connected, virtually, to your friends, family and those who need our support.”

For the latest information about TELUS’ support during the crisis, visit telus.com/covid19.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a dynamic, world-leading communications and information technology company with $14.7 billion in annual revenue and 15.2 million customer connections spanning wireless, data, IP, voice, television, entertainment, video and security. We leverage our global-leading technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. Our longstanding commitment to putting our customers first fuels every aspect of our business, making us a distinct leader in customer service excellence and loyalty. TELUS Health is Canada's largest healthcare IT provider, and TELUS International delivers the most innovative business process solutions to some of the world’s most established brands.

Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all Canadians for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired our team members and retirees to contribute more than $700 million and 1.3 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.

For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

For more information, please contact:

Doug Self

TELUS Public Relations

403-616-8741

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

The need for support for food banks in Canada is real, immediate and in crisis. As a long-term partner of Food Banks Canada, Subway® Canada has launched several measures to help support the organization, including a donation of 1M meals and a commitment to feeding local volunteers and employees in communities across the nation. In addition, starting March 30th, Subway® will donate $2 from every delivery purchase to Food Banks Canada.*

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused operations and food costs to rise for food banks across the country and an expected influx of people seeking them out for support will only make it worse. While many corporations have stepped up, food banks across Canada do not have the resources they need to continue providing nutritious food to families and vulnerable populations during this crisis, especially as numbers increase. Subway® Canada is urging guests to help by donating directly to Food Banks Canada or by ordering delivery from their local Subway® Restaurant starting March 30th.*

"These are unprecedented times and it is our responsibility to do what we can to support the organizations putting nutritious food into the hands of our friends and neighbours," says Cristina Wells, Country Director, Subway® Canada. "We are calling on all Canadians to give what they can to help support Food Banks Canada by donating directly or by participating in the delivery donation drive."

"While food insecurity is an issue year-round in Canada, COVID-19 has led to significant challenges," says Chris Hatch, Chief Executive Officer for Food Banks Canada. "Subway Canada's donation will help us to provide local food banks with the resources needed to adapt and help clients in quarantine situations with the nutritious food support they need."

In addition to the charitable donation and delivery donation drive, Subway® Canada Franchise Owners will deliver lunch to employees and volunteers in food banks across Canada to show gratitude for their tireless work.

Subway Canada® is helping to raise awareness about the need from food banks across the country with a significant digital and media spend. Several agencies are supporting on the national campaign. Public relations and social media support is being handled by Veritas Communications. TV and digital advertising creative was produced by DentsuBos. All media buying was coordinated by Carat.

For more information about these initiatives, visit https://www.subway.com. Join Subway® Canada's online community at www.facebook.com/SubwayCanada or follow @SubwayCanada on Instagram.

*The 1M meals come from a monetary donation of $500,000 CAD to Food Banks Canada. Subway is also committed to donating $50,000 of Subway® products to local communities across the nation. Delivery available in select areas. See Subway.com/delivery for details. Donation of $2.00 CAD per delivery, app, & online order, to a maximum of $650,000 CAD.

About Subway® restaurants

Subway® offers a fresh alternative to traditional fast food, serving 7 million made-to-order sandwiches a day. Guests in Canada can choose from 1.4 billion combinations of quality proteins, fresh vegetables, and bread baked daily. In Canada, franchise owners of the over 3,200 Subway® locations are proud to be part of the communities in which they live and operate their businesses.

The company, founded in 1965 by then 17-year-old Fred DeLuca and family-friend Dr. Peter Buck, is still a family-owned business with 21,000 dedicated franchisees in neighborhoods around the world.

Subway® is a Registered Trademark of Subway IP LLC.© 2020 Subway IP LLC.

 

About Food Banks Canada

Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network in Canada.

We are a national charitable organization dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. We support a network of Provincial Associations, affiliate food banks, and food agencies that work at the community level to relieve hunger. Our work is focused on maximizing collective impact, strengthening local capacity, and reducing the need for food banks in order to help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. To learn more, visit www.foodbankscanada.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

SOURCE SUBWAY Canada

 

For further information: Ana Taruc | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 416.788.7969, Zeba Dantas, spPR | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 416.434.3211

Due to COVID-19, classrooms across Canada have made the challenging transition to online learning. Providing students with the technology they need is now more important than ever. In an effort to support Canadian students and teachers during this time, Staples Canada has doubled the prize for the 2020 Superpower your SchoolTM Contest by awarding $200,000 to an additional 10 schools across Canada. In total, 20 school communities across Canada have been awarded $400,000 worth of technology from Staples Canada with support from Intel Canada. Held annually by Staples Canada in collaboration with EcoKids and Earth Day Canada, Staples awards new technology to schools across the country that show leadership through environmental initiatives.

As The Working and Learning Company, Staples Canada is committed to supporting Canadian students during this challenging time. Leading positive change in local Canadian communities has been important to Staples Canada for over 20 years. Many Canadian elementary and secondary school students are in need of technology to help them navigate learning from home. According to Statistics Canada, 58.4 per cent of households surveyed with internet access had less than one device per household member. As Canadian schools work to ensure every student has access to online learning, Staples Canada will work with school officials to ensure students are equipped with brand-new technology, including Chromebook laptops and other devices. With families preparing kids for digital education, Chromebooks have proven to be great, affordable tools to help kids at home continue to learn, whether it's finding online learning or collaborating with classmates.

"The driving force behind this contest has always been getting technology to students to support their educational growth. In today's environment, this is more important than ever," said David Boone, Chief Executive Officer, Staples Canada. "As a company passionate about working and learning, we have done a lot of work to ensure technology gets to the students who need it most. We are proud to be able to double the prize with support from Intel Canada and award 20 schools with technology in a time of great need."

The Superpower your SchoolTM Contest is held annually by Staples Canada in collaboration with EcoKids and Earth Day Canada to mark Earth Month. The contest recognizes Canadian schools paving the road to solidifying youth participation in environmental protection. As one of Canada's largest technology retailers, Staples Canada is proud to reward new technology to schools across the country to help ensure they have the devices they need to stay connected. The program first launched in 2011 and has awarded over $2 million in technology, including laptops and STEM products, to 110 schools. Winners were chosen by a panel of volunteer organizations with interest in sustainability.

"The winners were chosen because their entries truly inspired us. These students are leading the charge to teach current and future generations the importance of sustainable living," said Cristina Greco, Interim Executive Director, EcoKids. "During this uncertain time, technology is more important than ever to keep students and teachers connected to continue the great work they have been accomplishing all year. We are thrilled to work with Staples Canada and support their efforts to double the prize and award even more schools with technology essential to educational growth in this time."

Winners of the 2020 Superpower your SchoolTM Contest are:

 

Atlantic Canada

Elementary

 

Brian Peckford Primary, Triton, Newfoundland

West Northfield Elementary School, West Northfield, Nova Scotia

Secondary

 

St. Mary's Bay Academy, St. Bernard, Nova Scotia

École Marie-Esther, Shippagan, New Brunswick

Ontario

Elementary

 

Parkview Public School, Komoka, Ontario

École élémentaire catholique Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire, Crysler, Ontario

Secondary

 

Kapuskasing District High School, Kapuskasing, Ontario

Glenview Park Secondary School, Cambridge, Ontario

Quebec

Elementary

 

École alternative Harricana, Amos, Quebec

École Saint-Joseph, Baie-Trinité, Quebec

Secondary

 

École secondaire Jean‐Nicolet, Nicolet, Quebec

École secondaire de l'Érablière, St-Félix-de-Valois, Quebec

Western Canada

Elementary

 

Waldheim School, Elie, Manitoba

Juniper School, Thompson, Manitoba

Secondary

 

Elmwood High School, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Seven Oaks Met School, Winnipeg, Manitoba

British Columbia and Yukon

Elementary

 

Sensisyusten School - Westbank First Nation, Westbank, British Columbia

John Henderson Elementary School, Vancouver, British Columbia

Secondary

 

Mount Douglas Secondary School, Victoria, British Columbia

Richmond Secondary School, Richmond, British Columbia

"We hope the new technology allows these schools to connect in a meaningful way," Boone adds. "Thanks to our partners at Intel Canada, the new technology will allow these schools to better communicate with one another to ensure successful educational growth and connectivity in these unusual times."

 

Join the Conversation

Follow Staples Canada on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and join the conversation using #PowerEco.

About Staples Canada

Staples Canada is The Working and Learning Company. With a focus on community, inspiration and services, the company is committed to being a dynamic, inspiring partner to customers who visit its 305 locations across the country and online at staples.ca. The company offers three co-working facilities in Toronto, Kelowna and Oakville under the banner Staples Studio. Since its transformation to The Working and Learning Company, Staples Canada has been demonstrating a renewed commitment to small businesses and consumers, through expanded services that go beyond printing in Solutionshop, thousands of new products, tech services, special events, and informative content with the Spotlight Speaker Series and newly-launched blog. A privately-owned company, Staples Canada is dedicated to helping its customers work, learn and grow. Visit staples.ca for more information, or get social with @StaplesCanada on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

SOURCE Staples Canada ULC

 

 

For further information: Alessandra Saccal, Staples Canada, 905-737-1147 Ext. 2363, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Kathleen Stelmach, Staples Canada, 905-737-1147 Ext. 2714, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; David Dwyer, Golin, 647-828-0140, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The St-Hubert Group and the St-Hubert Foundation are working together to launch a comfort operation, which will help support Quebeckers during the fight against Covid-19. As a result, 10,000 St-Hubert meals delivered free of charge, 10,000 additional meals provided by network franchisees in their respective communities, as well as a $100,000 donation and nearly 2,000 chicken pies to the Food Banks of Quebec will give strength and hope to people in need in the coming weeks.

St-Hubert is joining a mutual aid and social generosity movement by launching its Deliver it forward comfort chain. Every day, 100 St-Hubert meals will be delivered free of charge to 100 people. Via its Facebook page, St-Hubert invites its subscribers to submit as of tomorrow, April 2nd, the name of a person who deserves a St-Hubert meal. The initiative will last 100 days during which a total of 10,000 meals will be provided. The purpose of this project is to break people's isolation, and above all, to thank citizens who set themselves apart in these difficult times.        

Through the St-Hubert Foundation, the St-Hubert Group is making a $100,000 donation to the Food Banks of Quebec. This is in addition to a $200,000 financial commitment made in 2018 to the food recovery program in supermarkets. St-Hubert is increasing its donation with nearly 2,000 St-Hubert chicken pies, prepared at its Boisbriand plant. This double donation will help families that have been hit hard by the health and economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.        

Many of the 75 St-Hubert franchisees have already donated meals to associations or hospital employees since the start of the events. Inspired by the altruism of its network, the franchisor is making these pledges of solidarity and promises that 10,000 meals will be provided by its franchisees to community organizations and local heroes. All regions where St-Hubert operates will benefit from this charity movement.

"The initiatives announced today will feed people, but above all, do them good. People often tell us that St Hubert provides comfort food. It is with this in mind that we had the idea of delivering comfort to thousands of people, especially those who set themselves apart through their involvement in society. Our franchisees, people involved in their community, quickly joined the movement. This outpouring of generosity comes from our Retail division, our Restauration division and the St-Hubert Foundation who join together as never before to comfort Quebeckers in this unprecedented situation," says Richard Scofield, President of the St-Hubert Group.

Update on the St-Hubert Group operations and health measures

Above all, since the start of the events, proactive decisions have been based on the safety of St-Hubert customers, employees and franchisees. All Rôtisseries St-Hubert dining rooms ceased operations before government recommendations in order to promote physical distancing. Our hygiene standards were already among the most stringent in the industry. They have been strengthened to provide highly secure external sales services (take-out counter, drive-thru service and delivery). St-Hubert provides a "Zero Contact Delivery" option for customers who prepay on its new website, and our take-out counters are now fitted with plexiglass. "Because exceptional situations, require exceptional measures. It's very important to us that people enjoy their St-Hubert meal with peace of mind," says Mr. Scofield.

Adjustments to St-Hubert's regular offer have enabled us to maintain nearly 3,000 jobs throughout our restaurant network and 99 jobs at the Montreal call centre. 

ABOUT THE ST-HUBERT GROUP

The St-Hubert Group has two divisions: Restaurant and Food. Its head offices are located in Quebec, in Laval and Boisbriand. Founded in 1951 in Montreal, St-Hubert BBQ Ltd. / Les Rôtisseries St-Hubert Ltée now includes 124 rotisseries in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick and serves more than 31 million meals annually. The St-Hubert Group also has a Retail division that manufactures and distributes several food products, including sauces, soups, ribs, meat pies and chicken pies, under the St-Hubert brand and also under the other restaurant brands of the RECIPE Unlimited Corporation. The company has a long tradition of innovation and is constantly striving to meet the needs of its customers. For its part, the St-Hubert Foundation's mission is to contribute to community welfare. Since 2012, almost 500 organizations have received its support and more than $6 million have been redistributed.

Facebook: St-Hubert   

Twitter: @sthubert    

LinkedIn: St-Hubert Group   

Instagram: @sthubert

www.st-hubert.com

 

SOURCE St-Hubert Group

For further information: and requests for interviews: Josée Vaillancourt, Director, Communications & St-Hubert Foundation, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., T.: 450-688-4400 Extension 2104, C. 514-913-3741; Véronique Blais, Consultant, TACT, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., C.: 514-241-2686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

METRO announces a donation of $500,000 to Feed Ontario and United Way, along with a pledge to match customer donations of up to $500,000 in support of its Together We Can toonie-fundraising campaign. Starting today, until April 30, METRO will be appealing to the generosity of its Metro and Food Basics customers inviting them to donate a toonie at checkout in stores.

METRO is committed to helping Ontario communities during the COVID-19 pandemic who are struggling with food insecurity and other essential services which also include eldercare and mental health support.

“At METRO we are committed to do everything we can to support communities in need across Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea of Together We Can has never been more true and I am proud that Metro and Food Basics, with the help of our customers, can truly make a difference during these difficult times,” says Carmen Fortino, Executive Vice President, Ontario Division Head and National Supply Chain, METRO.

In order to take immediate action, METRO has chosen its long-time community partners, Feed Ontario and United Way, to distribute the much-needed aid to regional agencies. These agencies are on the frontlines serving people who are struggling during this incredibly difficult period. It is an additional donation in Ontario after announcing on March 25 a $500,000 donation to Feed Ontario and Food banks of Québec, as well as a $500,000 to the emergency fund of United Way/Centraide.

"We cannot thank our longstanding partner, METRO, enough for their unwavering commitment to Ontario's food banks and communities across the province, particularly during this unprecedented time of need," says Carolyn Stewart, Executive Director, Feed Ontario. "This commitment will directly support Feed Ontario's COVID-19 Emergency Food Box program, helping us to provide nutritious food to our province's most vulnerable." 

“People who already face significant barriers of poverty, homelessness and social isolation need help more than ever and access to food has emerged as an immediate priority for our most vulnerable residents. United Way’s network of agencies have been working quickly and tirelessly to adapt their food service delivery and meet these urgent needs. Thank you, METRO, a long time United Way partner, for helping us make sure that everyone has access to nutritious food. We’re all in this together, and it is together that we will get through this. That’s the power of community,” says Daniele Zanotti, President & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto.

METRO, through its network of Metro and Food Basics stores and pharmacies, has been providing essential services since the beginning of the crisis. Our priority has been to ensure the safety of our employees and our customers while continuing to meet everyone’s needs. Together We Can make a difference for those who need it. 

About METRO Inc.

With annual sales of more than $16 billion, METRO Inc. is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer, the company operates or services a network of some 950 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as some 650 drugstores primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners, providing employment to almost 90,000 people. For more details, visit corpo.metro.ca.

Medavie, through its Foundation, is committing $5 million to support the needs of Canadians responding to COVID-19. The funding will focus on initiatives addressing food insecurity, the mental health needs of adolescents, and frontline responders coping with COVID-19-related anxiety and post-traumatic stress.  

The funding will be distributed to community organizations over the coming weeks and months to address urgent needs and provide support as they manage through – and beyond – this pandemic. The Medavie Health Foundation is also relaxing program requirements for those organizations already receiving funding, allowing them to focus their efforts on providing creative and agile solutions to safely support the communities they serve, from providing emergency food and meals to virtual mental health services, during this crisis.

"We understand these are challenging times and we've seen first-hand the impact this crisis is having on people's lives," said Bernard Lord, CEO of Medavie.  "The first phase of this funding will support the immediate needs of our communities. As we think about the transformation that will be required from society looking beyond the pandemic, this funding will also assist with much-needed recovery efforts in helping organizations find new and innovative ways to provide essential services. As a not-for-profit health solutions partner, I wish to acknowledge and thank the entire Medavie team and our partners for the work they do every day to support our communities and improve the wellbeing of Canadians."

"The Medavie Health Foundation was created to affect change today and for future generations," added Kim West, Board Chair, Medavie Health Foundation.  "The impacts of this health crisis have been – and will be – far reaching.  Supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities in the weeks and months ahead is more important than ever."

Through our Foundation, Medavie supports community-based programs aligned with adolescent mental health and post-traumatic stress, and initiatives that support active living and healthy eating.

About Medavie

Medavie is a national health solutions partner that integrates benefits management, health management and health care delivery. Together, with our more than 6,400 employees, we are committed to providing innovative solutions that improve the wellbeing of Canadians.

As a not-for-profit organization, Medavie oversees Medavie Blue Cross, a premier all-in-one benefits carrier and public health program administrator, and Medavie Health Services, a national primary health care solutions organization and the largest private provider of EMS management services in Canada.

We are proud to commit an annual social dividend to the Medavie Health Foundation to support programs and initiatives aimed at addressing some of our country's most pressing physical and mental health care challenges.

SOURCE Medavie

For further information: Media Contacts: Joanne Elliott, Senior Advisor, Stakeholder Relations, Medavie Health Foundation, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone: 902-496-7189, Mobile: 902-266-9287

Maple Leaf Foods ("Maple Leaf") and the Centre for Action on Food Security ("The Centre") launched a $2 million campaign to support emergency food relief efforts across Canada.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has critically heightened the ongoing issue of food insecurity in Canada, which already affects over 4.4 million people including 1 in 6 children," said Lynda Kuhn, Chair of the Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security. "As a result, organizations which focus on social inclusion and sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and its impacts are pivoting to meet the urgent immediate need for more food, for more people."

"At a time when self-isolation is a public health imperative, it is strikingly more difficult for people who lack the resources to safely meet the basic needs of their families. Food Banks Canada, Community Food Centres Canada and many organizations are doing extraordinary work to help fellow Canadians who are most vulnerable. Through this campaign, we are committed to supporting and expanding their dauntless efforts and outreach."

Maple Leaf and the Centre have committed over $1 million in financial contributions and a further $350,000 in product donations towards these efforts and is asking Canadians to join with us by visiting www.aparttogether.ca and making a direct donation to either Community Food Centres Canada or Food Banks Canada. Maple Leaf has redirected its advertising investment to promote the issue through a multi-media campaign on both television and social media.

"Already, one in eight Canadians lacked access to good food—but food insecurity has now become an even deeper national crisis," says Nick Saul, CEO of Community Food Centres Canada. "Our national network of Community Food Centres and Good Food Organizations has been working tirelessly to safely provide good food to their communities. These matching funds will inspire people from all over Canada to contribute and will enable these organizations to continue their essential work." 

"While the need for food banks was already unacceptable, the extreme demands of the COVID-19 pandemic has made helping our most vulnerable neighbours much harder," says Chris Hatch, CEO of Food Banks Canada. "This generous donation from Maple Leaf Foods and the Centre for Action on Food Security will help bring relief to the more than 3000 food banks and agencies Food Banks Canada supports and who are working tirelessly on the frontline."  

About Maple Leaf Foods

Maple Leaf Foods is a producer of food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf®, Maple Leaf Prime®, Maple Leaf Natural Selections®, Schneider's®, Schneiders® Country Naturals®, Mina®, Greenfield Natural Meat Co.®, Lightlife®, Field Roast Grain Meat Co.TM and Swift®. Maple Leaf employs approximately 13,000 people and does business in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The Company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

Website: MapleLeafFoods.com 

Twitter: @MapleLeafFoods

The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security

The Maple Leaf Centre for Action on Food Security (the Centre) is a registered charity committed to working collaboratively, across sectors, to reduce food insecurity in Canada by 50% by 2030. The Centre advocates for critical public policies and works with innovative food-based programs that advance the capacity of people and communities to achieve sustainable food security. 

The Centre was created in 2016 and is governed by a board of directors, including four independent experts. Since its inception, Maple Leaf has contributed a minimum of 1% pre-tax profits annually to support the Centre and other community investments, totalling over $10 million in financial contributions and gifts-in-kind. The Centre builds on its strong connection with Maple Leaf, enabling greater public awareness, volunteer participation and skills matching to increase capacity in community-based organizations. 

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

 

 

For further information: Media Hotline: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-888-995-5030

As Lowe’s Canada, one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing more than 475 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, continues to respond to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic, it is announcing a philanthropic investment of $1 million to support Canadian associates and communities now and as the pandemic continues. This philanthropic investment includes:

1- A total of $241,000 to allow Lowe’s, RONA, Reno-Depot, and Dick’s Lumber corporate stores across the country to support, either in cash or in kind, initiatives to meet the specific needs of the communities within their region.

2- A total of $228,000 to allow RONA affiliated dealers to support store associates and local community needs.

3- An amount of $1,000 for each of Lowe’s Canada’s corporate stores to support associates by creating a food pantry, for an aggregate amount of $241,000.

4- A donation to Children’s Miracle Network and Opération Enfant Soleil of approximately $1,200 per corporate store to compensate for the cancellation of the annual in-store fundraising campaign due to the current COVID-19 context. The total amount of $290,000 is in addition to the $120,000 worth of building materials donated to build the Maison Enfant Soleil by Bonneville Homes, and to the sums that Lowe’s, RONA, and Reno-Depot will collect through their online fundraising campaign, which started earlier this month in Quebec and will launch on May 12 in other provinces.

This philanthropic investment is in addition to other local initiatives rolled out to support our communities, including the donation of 36,000 boxes to Ontario food banks through Feed Ontario, as well as the donation of plastic rolls to healthcare workers to protect them during intuition.

“Over the past several weeks, our more than 26,000 Lowe’s Canada associates have worked around the clock to ensure our retail and Pro customers have access to the essential products they need to keep their families safe, their essential businesses running, and their communities healthy. With the initiatives announced today, we want to contribute to meeting other types of essential needs within our communities,” said Tony Hurst, President of Lowe’s Canada.

Supporting our associates

Today’s announcement builds on measures already taken by the company to support our associates through this challenging time, such as offering emergency paid leave, providing hourly associates with a special payment to recognize that they and their families may be experiencing unplanned expenses and hardships during this time, temporarily increasing hourly wages through the month of April as associates work tirelessly to serve our customers and communities, and closing all corporate stores on Easter Sunday so associates throughout the country could benefit from a much-deserved day off to rest and spend time at home with their families.

Adjusting our operations to protect the health and safety of our customers and associates

Keeping the health and safety of associates and customers at the centre of our priorities, Lowe’s Canada is adapting its operations in response to the new COVID-19 reality. Operational changes in our Lowe’s, RONA, and Reno-Depot stores include reduced opening hours, limiting the number of customers allowed in stores at the same time, increased cleaning and disinfecting activities, especially in the most frequented areas, and decisive measures to ensure compliance with public health authorities’ social distancing guidelines, such as adjusted store layouts, clear social distancing markers, protective Plexiglass shields at all cash registers and service desks, overhead announcements reminding everyone of the key safety measures, and contactless curbside pick-up for online orders.

Marketing efforts have also been revisited with a focus on driving customers to our lowes.ca, rona.ca, and renodepot.com websites. These include the temporary withdrawal of our flyers, free parcel delivery for online orders (subject to usual conditions), the rollout of the above-mentioned curbside pick-up for online orders, and a new digital and television campaign encouraging Canadians to stay safe at home.

For detailed information about Lowe’s Canada’s response to COVID-19, visit www.lowescanada.ca.

About Lowe’s Canada

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company serving approximately 18 million customers a week in the United States and Canada. With fiscal year 2019 sales of $72.1 billion, Lowe’s and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,200 home improvement and hardware stores and employ approximately 300,000 associates. Based in Boucherville, Quebec, Lowe’s Canadian business, together with its wholly owned subsidiary, RONA inc., operates or services more than 470 corporate and independent affiliate dealer stores in a number of complementary formats under different banners. These include Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt and Dick’s Lumber. In Canada, the companies have more than 26,000 associates, in addition to approximately 5,000 employees in the stores of independent affiliate dealers operating under the RONA banner. For more information, visit lowescanada.ca.

Today the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation committed $1 million in books and educational resources to support Canadian children in high-needs communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new Indigo Love of Reading Community Response Fund is part of the Foundation's continued efforts to support literacy in high-needs communities across Canada. 

"Books are critical to education and as a vehicle to 'travel' to new places and 'meet' new people.  This is important always and especially at this moment," said Heather Reisman, Chair of the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation. "I want to thank our customers for the special role they play in helping to support our Foundation. I also want to thank our employees whose commitment every day plays an equally important role."

The Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has partnered with three outstanding national Canadian organizations to help distribute books to families in need across the country: Jays Care Foundation, Martin Family Initiative, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Local non-profit organizations that currently serve children and their families in high-needs communities can also apply for grants. Applications are open now and organizations are encouraged to apply at loveofreading.org.

"Jays Care is incredibly grateful for the support of our partners at the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation," said Robert Witchel, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation. "Now, more than ever, we are thankful to have a teammate like the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation to break down educational barriers for kids who need it most. Their generous donation will further literacy opportunities for thousands of kids in Jays Care programs across Canada."

The Indigo Love of Reading Community Response Fund is an addition to the Foundation's signature programs, the Literacy Fund Grant and Adopt a School program, which enable high-needs elementary schools to enrich their school libraries with educational resources and improve access to books for their students.

Since its inception in 2004, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation has provided $31 million dollars in funding, supporting over 3,000 high-needs schools and reaching 1 million students.

For more information on Indigo please visit indigo.ca. To apply for funding through the Indigo Love of Reading Community Response Fund, please visit loveofreading.org.  

About the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

Indigo Books & Music Inc. founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 to address the underfunding of public elementary school libraries. To date, the Foundation has committed $31 million to more than 3,000 high-needs schools across Canada, impacting over 1,000,000 children. To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.loveofreading.org

SOURCE Indigo Love of Reading Foundation

 

 

For further information: For media requests please contact: Melissa Perri, PR Manager, Indigo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IKEA Canada announces its commitment to provide approximately $2.3M in product and supply donations to support local communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The retailer will first focus its relief efforts on vulnerable communities, including homeless, newcomers, refugees and children, providing home furnishings to ensure they have a safe and comfortable home during these challenging times. It will also support those leading COVID-19 relief efforts by providing relevant supplies from its range to medical services and facilities.

“At IKEA, our vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Now more than ever, we know that home is the most important place in the world,” said Michael Ward, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer, IKEA Canada. “By providing home furnishings to some of our most vulnerable and at-risk communities, we ensure that not only are their basic necessities met, but also that their home is a place of comfort and safety when they need it most.”

IKEA Canada has established a national task force and is currently engaging with its network of trusted partners, government agencies and registered charities to determine where donations can have the greatest impact. The retailer has already collaborated with Furniture Link, an organization that connects businesses to vulnerable communities and will support more than 1,500 families with needed home furnishings in communities across Canada. IKEA is also working closely with its network of national refugee employment partners to provide home kits to newcomers in need.

From coast-to-coast, IKEA Canada stores and distribution units have already started making contributions to medical services and facilities. The furniture retailer has donated nearly 230,000 N95 masks to local hospitals and healthcare centres across the country. IKEA Canada will continue to work closely with medical services to donate urgently needed supplies from its range such as bedding, mattresses, children’s toys and food.

“We’re committed to supporting the communities in which we serve and we want to do all that we can to support our front line healthcare workers who continue to work tirelessly for our health and well-being during this unprecedented time,” said Melissa Barbosa, Sustainability Manager, IKEA Canada.

IKEA Canada’s donation is part of Ingka Group’s global commitment to provide emergency relief efforts in the 30 countries in which it has operations. Ingka Group has allocated €26m to protect the health and livelihoods of communities, co-workers, suppliers and consumers impacted by coronavirus.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA

Founded in 1943 in Sweden, IKEA is a leading home furnishing retailer, offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them. IKEA Canada is part of Ingka Group which operates 374 IKEA stores in 30 countries, including 14 in Canada. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 31 million visitors to its stores and 117 million visitors to IKEA.ca. IKEA Canada operates business through the IKEA vision - to create a better everyday life for the many people and does so through its local community efforts and sustainability initiatives. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit IKEA.ca.

For more information:

IKEA Canada

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For media inquiries:

Kristin Newbigging

IKEA Canada, Public Relations Leader

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