Feds announce more than $600K to support people affected by pandemic

The federal government distributed more than$600,000 in funding in two announcements Wednesday for groups that support the N.W.T.'s most vulnerable populations.

The Yellowknife Community Foundation said in a news release Wednesday that it facilitated the distribution of $200,000 to eight projects that aim to support people disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in the Northwest Territories.

It was among some 150 local community foundations across the country that joined Community Foundations of Canada, United Way Centraide Canada and the Canadian Red Cross to support distribution of grants from the federal government's $350-million Emergency Community Support Fund.

Robin Greig, president of the Yellowknife Community Foundation, said in a statementthat the foundation was pleased to help support the projects.

The projects rangefrom the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk's food kits for families project, to the Yellowknife Women's Society's non-violent crisis intervention training.

Andrea Dicks, Community Foundations of Canada president, said in a statement that the organization's purpose to "'relentlessly pursue a future where everyone belongs' has never felt more important than it does right now."

"We're grateful for the leadership of local community foundations like the Yellowknife Community Foundation, who have been at the forefront of local response efforts since the pandemic was declared," she said.

Here is the full list of recipients:

• Food Rescue: $5,000 for storage freezer, winter tires for delivery van and garage modifications to allow access for new van.
• YWCA: $46,200 for purchase of food/meat, toiletries and cleaning supplies.
• MakeWay (formerly Tides Canada) (Northern Youth Leadership): $20,000 for wilderness program for at risk youth.
• Let's Talk Science Horizons Canada: $825 for science-based educational materials for youth in Grades 4 to 6. Materials are to be distributed through N.W.T. food banks.
• AVENS A Community for Seniors: $40,000 for purchasing of personal protective equipment for AVENScare facility.
• Yellowknife Women's Society: $16,800 for non-violent crisis intervention training.
• Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk: $35,588 for food kits for 200 families.
• Salvation Army: $35,588 for supplies, clothing, client assistance, food, medication and more.

Later Wednesday, N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod announced a further $433,747 for 23 projects "that support seniors' needs," including $25,000 for workshops on gardening at AVENS.

The funding was distributed through the New Horizons for Seniors Program, which funds projects aimed at increasing volunteerism and community engagement among seniors.

The announcement said the funding can now also be put toward COVID-19 prevention.

On Tuesday, the federal government announced $640,004 to go towardhelping food security in the Northwest Territories.