A screen capture from a video uploaded to Bruce Power's YouTube channel.

Thanks to the generosity of its employees and their families, Bruce Power has raised $120,000 through a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of food banks throughout Bruce, Grey and Huron counties.

The funds will be distributed evenly to 38 food banks to assist them in dealing with increased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, the company often holds gate collections on site as a way to raise funds for natural disasters and other community relief funds. In this instance, the company turned to GoFundMe.

Recipients of the funds are: Dundalk Food Bank, Tara Area Food Bank, Gold Town Outreach – Bethany Church of Nazarene, Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort (OSHaRE), Lion’s Head Food Bank, Mount Forest Community Pantry, Exeter Community Food Bank, Walkerton and District Food Bank, Chatsworth Community Outreach, Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre Inc., Bruce Grey Child and Family Services, Salvation Army Goderich, Salvation Army Clinton, Durham and District Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul Society (Port Elgin), St. Vincent de Paul Society (Hanover), North Huron Community Food Services, Salvation Army Family Services (Port Elgin), Kincardine Food Bank, Tobermory Food Bank, Flesherton Food Bank, Beaver Valley Outreach, Paisley Missionary Church, Hanover Salvation Army Food Bank, Chesley Food Bank, Wiarton Salvation Army, Bayfield Area Food Bank, Clinton Friends of the Community, Seaforth and District Food Bank, Blessings Community Store & Food Bank Zurich, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Peter’s Conference (Goderich), Living Hope Christian Centre (Port Elgin), Markdale District Food Bank, Owen Sound Salvation Army Food Bank, The Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation Food Bank, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation Food Bank, St. Mary’s and the Mission, Mount Forest Community Pantry.

“Our current and retired employees have always stepped up to help someone in need, and for many of us there’s never been a more critical time to make sure families in our communities have food on the table,” said David Abbott, Director of Community and Indigenous Relations. “On behalf of them, we want to recognize the amazing women and men, many of them volunteers, for the work they’re doing to keep our food banks operating and for looking after people in their communities.

Last month, Bruce Power donated $300,000 to the food banks, and earlier this month put together 2,000 Community Relief packages with essential goods to distribute to residents in local communities. Bruce Power has also provided local food banks with personal protective equipment (PPE) since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The food banks have graciously responded to the fundraising efforts by the companies and employees with many notes of appreciation. Some of the expressions of gratitude include:

“The amount of kindness and concern shown is absolutely amazing.”

“The support from Bruce Power has been incredible and we are truly thankful! We know needs will become much greater for some as time goes on, so this support is a huge blessing!"

“We are so grateful for all the work that you are doing to help organizations such as ours during this unprecedented time. We want to thank all the Bruce Power staff and employees for their incredible support and pray that all of you will stay healthy and safe during this time of uncertainty.”

“This is so amazing. Our numbers have increased from doing 90 meals a day to today serving 278. There are so many new families needing our services that haven't needed us before. Also doing all the meals to go has led to increased expenses. This donation will help us so much.”

“I’m overwhelmed and so grateful. Tears are in my eyes. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

“Please thank Mike Rencheck, the Staff and Employees of Bruce Power for their most generous support to our community. As I read your email it brought tears to my eyes to see how so many are willing to make a difference during this challenging time. It is truly overwhelming.”

"Oh my goodness! I can't stop the shivers going through my body. Although we live in a small community, we are in a tourist town with many locals working in the service industry...your donation will fill a huge gap and be used immediately to support families and individuals trying to survive during these unprecedented times. We have certainly seen an increase in the demand for our services with many new visits to access our emergency services and anticipate the next few weeks our numbers will skyrocket. What a great example your business is, we are very grateful for this support in the front line work we do.”