The Nourish Food Rx: COVID-19 Patient Food Security Fund of the McConnell Foundation will provide targeted funding over the next three months so that health care organizations can increase their capacity to meet the needs of their patients for whom the pandemic has created, or is exacerbating, food insecurity.
We are pleased to announce that the board has approved support for the following projects:
University Health Network ($50K)
This funding will support the University Health Network to partner with Foodshare Toronto to address and steady emergency food needs that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians will prescribe access to fresh fruit and vegetables to patients, who will receive regular home delivery of food boxes.
Guelph Community Health Centre ($35K)
Support from the Foundation will enable the Guelph Community Health Centre to undertake a second pilot of a Fresh Food Rx program to support at-risk community members to improve their health by giving them consistent access to good food during the pandemic. They seek to build a strong case for Fresh Food Rx to become a funded health care program in Guelph-Wellington and contribute to the national discussion on Fresh Food Rx programs.
Saskatchewan Health Authority - Idylwyld Centre ($45K)
Funding from the foundation will allow the Idylwyld Centre to support urban Indigenous families who have limited access to traditional foods, by connecting urban Indigenous youth with Elders in First Nations to support traditional teachings for hunting, fishing and gathering.
Tłıchǫ Community Services Agency ($7K)
Project funding will build food security by increasing the availability and acceptability of gifted fish, birds and wild game served to residents at Jimmy Erasmus Senior’s Home during and beyond the pandemic.
Hay River Health and Social Services Authority ($8K)
This project will improve the availability and acceptability of donated traditional foods served to residents at Woodland Manor, Hay River, NWT, by building a food community of traditional (Indigenous) knowledge keepers, residents and their families, hunters, fishers, food service staff and management to advise on acquiring, preparing and serving traditional food at Woodland Manor while maintaining compliance to COVID-19 restrictions.
Nanaimo Foodshare Society ($28,250)
Support from the Foundation will support the role of a Food Navigator who will work with individuals referred by hospital staff to ensure that they are accessing the Good Food Box program. For individuals who are identified as “higher” risk, the Food Navigator will work closely with them to develop a more intensive food access plan.
Enoch Cree Nation ($40K)
Project funding will offer programming to support community and private gardening, traditional food access and knowledge transfer towards reclaiming traditional and cultural practices for the benefit of all Enoch Cree Nation members, and for future generations.
Integrated University and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal ($40K)
Funding from the Foundation will support two approaches to building food security for patients: a food coupon project, La Carte Proximité - which links local food access and solidarity; and affordable, healthy prepared meals available in the hospital cafeteria or delivered directly to people's homes.
Dr Peter AIDS Foundation ($25K)
With these funds, the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation will support a twice-daily serving of wholesome, home-style, nutrient-dense, appealing meals to program participants living with HIV/AIDS while meeting COVID food safety procedures.
OpenLab ($10K)
Support from the Foundation will help to sustain the operations of OpenLab’s Friendly Neighbour Hotline, a volunteer-run organization that connects low-income seniors who are unable to purchase essential items due to COVID-19 with volunteers from across Toronto willing to shop on their behalf.
Northern Health ($11,750)
Funds from the Foundation will support Northern Health’s summer hamper program to provide a weekly food hamper to vulnerable families in all communities on island. The hampers include basic grocery foods, traditional foods and locally grown foods.
Island Health - Port Alberni Community Nutrition ($37K)
Funding will support the “Hospital to Community” Nutrition Security Coalition an interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnership delivering healthy food to patients deemed at high risk for nutrition and food insecurity upon discharge in the City of Port Alberni. They will refer to the Nuu-Chah-Nulth ideology of hishuk'ish tsawalk – everything is one: ensuring not to address food and nutrition security in silos, but rather as a holistic and cyclical endeavor.
Ulkatcho First Nation ($49,447)
Funding will support the Ulkatcho First Nation Health Centre in a participatory, community-based approach to food security including both immediate relief food packages as well as long-term approaches which engage the broader community.
Integrated University and Social Services Centre (CIUSSS) Nord-de-l'Île (NIM) ($48K)
The Foundation’s funding will support a project to develop a directory of services with the teams from the CIUSSS NIM who identify people facing food insecurity and provide them with the required support during their self-isolation with a COVID-19 diagnosis.