Helping those less fortunate in Thunder Bay with clothing, food, shelter and counselling.
The United Way launched the Local Love in Action campaign Tuesday, with Director of Philanthropy and Community Engagement Jodie Wilson stressing that donations and support are so important now, as we’ve seen more financial and mental health issues since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re asking you to join us and take action to tackle the issues of poverty,” said Wilson. “Give what you can, and help the people right here at home. This will improve their mental health, instill their confidence, and give them hope as they try to navigate through these difficult times.”
Local Love in Action Poster (STAFF PHOTO)
Wilson added, “You can also get together with your employees or your families and build basic DIY kits,” explains Wilson. “These DIY kits are to be delivered to food banks, and contain things like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and you can build the kits, drop them off at the Thunder Bay office, and we will ensure these kits will get out to the proper people.”
Tbaytel matched the first $10,000 in donations for the Local Love in Action campaign in 2020 with the company vowing to do the same this time around. Home Hardware Building Centre also will match $10,000 in donations.
“I look at where Tbaytel likes to place their investments, and we’ve always like to make investments in events that help to enrich our community,” explains CEO Dan Topatigh. “We all work in Thunder Bay, we work in the region as well, but we live here as well and we can see the need that’s necessary here in our community. We knew the need was there, but we also knew the United Way is the best fit to help that need.”
The United Way is also holding Facebook live events during the campaign, discussing the issues of poverty.
Mayor Bill Mauro and the City of Thunder Bay have declared September 14 to 17 as the first-ever Show Your Local Love Week.
Example of DIY Kit (STAFF PHOTO)
