J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) and the McCain Foundation are each giving $1-million to help food banks that are struggling during the COIVD-19 outbreak.
The donations will support the Food Depot Alimentaire, a regional hub that distributes food to more than 60 food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, and school programs in southeast New Brunswick.
Dale Hicks, the president of Food Depot Alimentaire, says the $1-million from the Irvings and the McCains are the “single largest donation in the history of the food bank network in New Brunswick.
“J.D. Irving has been a strong community partner of the Food Depot Alimentaire over the past number of years,” said Hicks about the Irving donation, in a news release. “This significant donation, at an unprecedented time in our history, is a testament to their continued support of our programs.”
It was the second time in as many weeks an Irving family made a million-dollar donation to a charitable cause supporting coronavirus relief efforts.
RELATED: Arthur Irving Family Foundation Donates $1-Million To COVID-19 Relief Fund
Late last week, the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation received a $1-million donation from the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation for its New Brunswick COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund.
The fundraising drive for the food bank network is being chaired by David Hawkins of BrianWorks as part of the Love For Local campaign, which launched in partnership with 3+ Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Moncton as a way of supporting local organizations and businesses throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“I made quite a few phone calls and sent out a number of briefing emails, starting last Tuesday to people who I know,” said Hawkins in an e-mail to Huddle. “It very quickly became clear that everyone I spoke with understood the need and the urgency and wanted to help.”
Food banks across the province are seeing increased demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With school closures and the cancellation of other youth programs, there is also a need to replace breakfast and other meal programs.
At the same time, many food banks are having trouble raising money because the thrift stores and other retail operations they use to bolster their finances have been forced to close.
“This donation comes at a time when we need it most,” said Hicks. “On behalf of all New Brunswickers, we thank J.D. Irving and their employees for their generosity.”
Hawkins said the McCains were very responsive as well. Linda McCain, chair of The McCain Foundation, reached out to Hawkins late last week and pledged $1-million as well.
“Linda made it very clear that New Brunswick is very close to the hearts of all McCain family members and that her family would do everything it could to help New Brunswickers get through this crisis,” said Hawkins.
With files from Mark Leger.
A version of this story was published in Huddle, an Acadia Broadcasting content partner.
