April 6, 2020
Vancouver, B.C. – Streetohome is pleased to announce the launch of a new initiative to provide home delivered meals to vulnerable seniors facing uncertain times in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) thanks to the generosity of The Giustra Foundation and rapid coordination from our board director Lara Dauphinee.
“Due to the swift response of The Giustra Foundation, we are now able to deliver daily meals to seniors in our city who do not feel safe going to grocery stores and other food sources, during these challenging times,” said Rob Turnbull, CEO, Streetohome.
Working alongside emergency response personnel from the City of Vancouver, the program is being executed by Savoury Chef Foods, a catering company located in Strathcona. Two meals are being delivered daily to 210 residents across six single room occupancy (SRO) buildings in the DTES, for a total of 5,880 meals. The program will run for 14 days and then be reassessed.
“In this time of crisis, I’m grateful to see this type of cooperation amongst our philanthropic leaders and entrepreneurs stepping up to deliver the resources and expertise needed to support the most vulnerable,” said Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart.
“As the reality sets in that this crisis is still in its early days, it’s clear there’s an increasing need to take care of our seniors, who are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19. It’s critical we identify those in need quickly and get food out the door,” said Frank Giustra. “We are doing what we can to help, but I urge my fellow citizens to do your part as well. Help one another. Know your neighbours and who needs assistance. To other business leaders, allocate your resources to become part of this initiative. Together we can do more.”
“Savoury Chef has long been involved in working with SROs to provide filling, nutritious and affordable meals to residents. We have the capacity and the systems in place to rapidly expand our programs as needs require,” said Anna Wallner, President, Savoury Chef Foods.
Media Contact:
Arielle Berze
Marketing Communications Specialist
604-348-9240
About Streetohome
Streetohome’s overarching goal is to leverage and broker a comprehensive system response to homelessness to ensure that homelessness in Vancouver is prevented whenever possible and, when homelessness can’t be prevented, to ensure the experience is least harmful brief and non-recurring. Since inception, Streetohome has contributed $31.5M from the private sector to leverage sustainable solutions to homelessness in Vancouver.
About the Giustra Foundation
For over two decades, the Giustra Foundation has developed innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian and economic challenges. Through partnering with a wide variety of local and international initiatives, our goal is to create a lasting and measurable impact through programs focused on poverty alleviation, quick responses to humanitarian crises, and investing in long-term strategies through education and conflict prevention.
About Savoury Chef Foods
Savoury Chef has been operating since 2006 across all areas of food service and catering. It is located in a 10,000 square foot facility in Strathcona and was voted #1 Best Caterer in Vancouver by the Georgia Straight Golden Plates Awards, 2020.
About SROs
Built in the early 1900s, SROs are rooming houses and residential hotels that contain very small single rooms and shared bathrooms and cooking facilities. SROs in Vancouver are either privately, non-profit or government owned.
http://www.streetohome.org/2020/04/06/thousands-meals-delivered-vulnerable-seniors-covid-19-crisis/
