KELOWNA, BC – April 23, 2021 - Food for Thought, a local Kelowna project of Hope for the Nations, is thankful for the support of the Air Canada Foundation, a charitable organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth.

Food for Thought directly combats child hunger in the Central Okanagan, working to improve children's health and well-being.

“While we are still in a pandemic, we are prioritizing healthy school food in ways that lower the risk of virus transmission,” said Cheryl Hoffman, Food for Thought Program Coordinator. “With more families struggling we have had to think outside the box. When schools closed last March, we were able to continue food programs by directly sending emergency food packages to the student's local school. This allowed easy access with reduce risk to exposure. Many families during this time did not have the means to travel to a food bank.”

With additional challenges presented by the pandemic, programs like Food for Thought have become increasingly critical.

For the second year in a row, Hope for the Nations is thankful for generous support and contributions from donors, like the Air Canada Foundation, who remain committed to their communities despite the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Food for Thought is so grateful to the Air Canada Foundation for being the kind of organization that wants to make a difference in the world!” said Hoffman. “Their generous contribution will make a difference to so many children in the Central Okanagan and it is greatly appreciated."

The support provided by the Air Canada Foundation will go a long way in continuing to nourish children with Food for Thought’s Backpack Program, helping to ensure impoverished students and families in the Central Okanagan do not go hungry.

“We’re so appreciative to the Air Canada Foundation for supporting us to further the goal in alleviating child poverty.”

The funds will also support the creation of a garden literacy project that will see food grown in the gardens used to provide fresh produce for children most at risk.

About Food for Thought:
There are over 5,900 children in the Central Okanagan that live in a food insecure home and are at risk of going to school hungry. Since 2009, Food for Thought’s aim has been to eliminate hunger in children, one child at a time, through various programs.

For More Information:
Cheryl Hoffman, Food for Thought – Program Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-712-2007

About the Air Canada Foundation
The Air Canada Foundation, a not-for-profit organization focused on the health and well-being of children and youth, was launched in 2012. It offers both financial and in-kind support to Canadian registered charities. Core programs include the Hospital Transportation Program, which redistributes Aeroplan points to 15 pediatric hospitals across Canada, enabling sick children to access the medical care they need away from home. The Air Canada Foundation, in collaboration with the airline, also engages directly in fundraising activities, such as the Every Bit Counts program, which encourages Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge customers to donate loose change of all denominations on board flights or through collection containers available in Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges. The Foundation also offers continued support to major health-related causes that benefit Canadians and is an active participant in international humanitarian relief activity as the need arises. For more information about the Air Canada Foundation, please visit www.aircanada.com/foundation or read its 2019 Impact Report.

For More Information:
Pascale Déry, Director, Media Relations – Quebec and Eastern Canada
Email: [email protected]