COVID-19 Relief Donations

As a Mutual, we’re 100% policyholder owned and local to this area – just like when we began in 1856. This makes our primary focus to support our clients and give back to our community. We’re grateful for the many wonderful local charities and causes who are truly helping “our neighbours” during these difficult times. Those serving in these organizations are truly heroes, who have often put themselves at risk to meet the vast need for their services. There’s still much work to be done, but we hope our financial contributions will help them to continue.

We divided the $41,000 we received from “Mutual Support”, and gave equal donations of $5,857 to these seven deserving charities in early June.

1) Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank offers food to people and community groups in need in Cambridge and North Dumfries. They have seen a large increase in need due to the financial strain of recent times. They’ve been able to keep caring for those less fortunate with the support of caring people in the community, including monetary and food donations. They’ve distributed over 3,000 emergency hampers during the pandemic.

2) Flamborough Food Bank supplements individual and family household food and personal care items through community donations and resources. They are committed to meeting this important need, and have continued to operate in a modified format by serving families curbside. In May alone, they served over 600 people and provided toy bags for children and washable face coverings to those without one.

3) Food4Kids Waterloo Region feeds severely food insecure children who cannot access food on a regular basis, and often go without meals. Prior to COVID-19, they were feeding around 600 kids every weekend with a bag of healthy food items. The pandemic prompted them to extend their daily March break program, into an ongoing emergency initiative. They have have continued to make deliveries, while practicing social distancing.

4) Haven House (in Cambridge) is operated by Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. They support women and children to move beyond violence by providing safe shelter, education and outreach services. While many of us find safety from COVID-19 at home, that’s where another danger lies for some – and abuse can escalate during times of increased stress. Haven House continues to strive to meet the increased need and incur the additional cost of safety measures, despite many of their important annual fundraisers being cancelled.

5) Kinbridge Community Association offers numerous recreation, education and social programs and services to those that live in the Christopher Champlain and Southwood neighbourhoods in Cambridge. While they’ve had to close their locations and cancel many programs and events due to COVID-19, their staff continue supporting the community by working from home. They regularly post helpful offerings on social media including family activities, recipes and community garden updates.

6) Lutherwood strengthens people’s lives by providing mental health, employment and housing services to more than 19,600 people annually in Waterloo Region and Wellington County. They have continued to offer many of their services, by practicing safety measures (ie: screening and social distancing) and moving online. Their annual “Steps for Kids” event was held virtually this spring, and raised $100,000 for children’s mental health!

7) Ontario Christian Gleaners essentially operates as a food bank for hungry people around the world. They annually generate between six and seven million servings of dried vegetable mix and nutritious products, using donated surplus produce. They were forced to close their building to volunteers in March, but have continued to make shipments. In April alone, one million servings were sent to Haiti, Venezuela, Columbia and Malawi.

Thank you for your support, as we in turn support these great causes!