MEGlobal contributes to non-profits impacted by COVID-19

April 2, 2020

As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt around the world, local non-profit organizations are stepping to the forefront to help meet the increased need for food and other basic necessities. MEGlobal is stepping up with them, providing monetary contributions to Blackfalds Food Bank ($4,000), Red Deer Food Bank ($6,000), Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank ($5,000) and Actions Inc. of Brazoria County ($5,000).

“Our communities have endured hard times before, but never anything like this,” said MEGlobal Public Relations Manager Trish Thompson. “MEGlobal strives to be a good neighbor and when we saw the needs increasing and local groups struggling to meet them, we immediately went to work to see how we could help.”

Breah Knape is the Executive Director of Actions Inc., a non-profit in Brazoria County that provides services to senior citizens. They were serving daily meals at their congregate centers; however; with social distancing measures in place they are now delivering those meals, and have seen the number of sign-ups grow exponentially. Before the pandemic hit, they provided about 1,200 meals per week. Now they are delivering more than 3,000, and the numbers keep rising.

“All these seniors are in need of basic supplies to help survive this public health emergency,” said Knape. “We are so grateful to MEGlobal for their contribution. We didn’t know how we were going to get beyond this week, but now we have enough to keep going. Plus, other businesses are following MEGlobal’s example so we are starting to have our prayers answered.”

At the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank, Board President Kassandra Gartner says the need is also growing for their services.

“Funding from supportive businesses like MEGlobal ensures the continuity of food bank services, provides for improvement in programming efficiency, and strengthens our ability to provide food and assistance to those who are in need.  As the demand for assistance rises our food bank will be able to adapt and provide,” she said.

Karie Ackermann, Community Building Initiative Administrator at Blackfalds FCSS says the Blackfalds Food Bank is also thankful for MEGlobal’s contribution.

“Food demand has been affected and we have seen a supply shortage in many of our essential food needs. Community food donations have completely stopped. Our food share program with Food Banks Alberta has started to ration between food banks as their food supply has also been limited. More people are in need of food hampers and with layoffs and uncertainty continuing, the need continues to rise,” she said.

All these organizations are in great need of donations – monetary, food and in some cases, volunteers.

Gartner said they welcome any contribution from individuals or businesses, large or small.

“Monetary donations are currently the best way to support the food bank as it enables us to bulk purchase the items needed like meat, milk, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables, dry goods such as coffee, sugar, cereal etc, and the extra cleaning supplies that are required for the food bank to operate.”

Please consider making a contribution if you can.

Actions Inc. of Brazoria County
Currently located at Angleton Recreation Center
Accepting donations Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(979) 864-1355

Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank
Office 780-998-4099
Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 
Hamper Days: Tuesdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Thursdays, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Blackfalds Food Bank
5007 Broadway Ave, Blackfalds AB
Phone: 403-600-1768

For editorial information contact Trish Thompson, MEGlobal Public Relations Manager at 832-802-9767 or thompspd@meglobal.biz.