Oakville, ON – On Friday, MPP Stephen Crawford and MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos attended Halton Food for Thought’s (HFFT) annual Feeduary event at St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary school to hear more about the $76,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).

“It gives me great pleasure to know that through Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Resilient Communities Fund, our government continues to invest in important community initiatives like those of Halton Food for Thought (HFFT),” said Stephen Crawford, MPP for Oakville. “Our community is grateful for partners like HFFT, and their volunteer run programs that can continue and expand, feeding students healthy food so they may be successful in school.”

“I'm thrilled to announce the approval of $76,400 in funding through the Resilient Communities Fund for Halton Food for Thought. Their tireless efforts result in meals being provided to 92,000 students annually. This investment will significantly bolster their ability to serve our community. By strengthening their operations, Halton Food for Thought will not only continue, but also enhance their invaluable support for our youth.” added Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP for Oakville North-Burlington. “This funding exemplifies our shared dedication to investing in initiatives that directly benefit our community, paving the way for a brighter future for all.”

The grant is being used to support the development of a new Strategic Plan for HFFT. When completed, the new Strategic Plan will support HFFT in their next stages as the sole provider of Student Nutrition Programs (SNP) in Halton Region. Through the updated Strategic Plan, HFFT will continue to lead its work towards achieving its vision of no student in Halton going hungry.

"The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be overstated,” said Joanne Jones, Chair of the Halton Food for Thought Board of Directors. “This grant has allowed us to be able to engage the outside support needed to undertake a project of this size without sacrificing the quality of programs we implement.”

Halton Food for Thought provides more than 92,000 Halton students from junior kindergarten to grade 12 access to healthy meals and snacks at school daily. Halton Food for Thought ensures over 89% of all Halton students have access to a SNP through our 149 partner schools.  

“Non-profit organizations across Ontario deliver programming that makes a difference,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.“That’s why funding that my ministry is providing through the OTF is so important. Our government wants to ensure that these programs and spaces remain the heart of communities across our province.”

The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s (OTF) mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across Ontario. As an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations, last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca tolearn more.

Organization Contact for Media Inquiries:

DevonEvershed, Director of Philanthropy and Communications

HaltonFood for Thought

289-288-4110

devon@haltonfoodforthought.com

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