Organization sets goal of helping 120,000 Niagara residents.
United Way Niagara began its 2021 campaign with a virtual event today.
This year, the charity hopes to help 120,000 local residents as the pandemic lingers on.
"The pandemic continues to reveal what we already know: Vulnerable people in our community simply do not have the same capacity to cope with, and recover from, the devastating impacts of COVID-19 as those of us with access to greater resources and stability," says Frances Hallworth, Executive Director of United Way Niagara. "It has become clear that we have more work to do. Food insecurity has skyrocketed, the housing crisis is getting worse, the shadow pandemic of gender-based violence is ever present and youth mental health is an ongoing challenge."
The organization says before the pandemic, 50,000 people in Niagara didn't have sufficient access to healthy food.
In 2021, that number has risen by at least 20 percent.
Niagara Regional Police Chief Bryan MacCulloch, who is the 2021 Campaign Chair, spoke at the event, saying he felt compelled to do his part to help the community through the pandemic.
More details on the campaign are available here.
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