Our Direct Giving Program turns three years old!
We launched our Direct Giving Program in December 2020 to provide direct access to fresh, local, responsible food for those who need it most. We do this by partnering with local non-profit organizations that help identify and connect us with members dealing with food insecurity. The program works by offering each family $30 per family member to spend on the Marketplace every week, with an additional 25% off of all fruit and veg. And by using our own infrastructure, we operate with no overhead cost - meaning every dollar contributed goes directly, in full, toward feeding those in need.
Emily (second from left) and Callie (right) from our team recently visited the West Island Mission with Executive Director Suzanne (left) and Assistant Director Judith (second from right) to check out their operations and get an update on how things are going.
Three years in, we’re feeding close to 1,000 people through the program. We started out supporting just 100 families with the help of four organizations. We’ve since been able to double our reach, now partnering with eight non-profits and sending weekly baskets to 215 families made up of 421 adults and 501 children. Here’s a glimpse of what some of them have to say (or read more here to learn all about our partners and the families they help us support).
“It’s part of the solution of getting people back on their feet. So we appreciate Lufa and the Direct Giving Program more than you can actually realize.”
- Suzanne, Executive Director of West Island Mission
“Thank you so much for the Direct Giving Program! It’s made a huge difference for our family of seven. Our kids love the fresh produce, and being able to keep growing veggies at home is amazing! We now have a mini home garden going in the dining room. The fact that we can eat more nutritious foods [...] means everything!”
- K. H., Greater Montreal
We also paid our first visit to Au Coeur de l'Enfance where Perinatal Support Worker Camille (second from right) introduced us to Direct Giving Program members Daphné, Geraldine, and Antonita (pictured alongside from left to right).
After an unprecedented year of soaring demands in food banks, taking on more members was more important than ever. This past year, we were able to raise $831,318 (!) thanks to Lufavores and charitable contributions from the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation. While this is an incredible feat, these funds are going fast and we’ll soon start covering the costs to make sure our community members can continue having access to their weekly baskets. Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can sustain, which is why we’re always looking for support.
When it comes to feeding a community, small contributions make a big impact. If you’re looking for ways to get more involved, consider making a one-time or weekly contribution with your order - donations over $20 throughout the year qualify for tax receipts!
Watch this video to dive deeper into the program and hear what some of the members have to say about it.