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Providing emergency COVID support to our communities

January 29, 2022 by United Way Greater Toronto

Click here to watch a video from Daniele Zanotti

We can’t let our social safety net collapse

Dear Friend,

Across the GTA, Omicron is devastating communities still reeling from the impacts of more than two years of COVID-19. It is stretching our social safety net to its limits. As I say in the video above, the time to act is now. United Way is already rolling out emergency COVID support to agencies providing much-needed services—food, shelter, mental health support—so they can continue to be there for our neighbours. But we must do more.

Please join us in holding the front line for our communities. You’ve already done so much since the beginning of this crisis, thank you. But please, if you’re able, consider giving again.

Always, and only, thank you.

Daniele Zanotti
President & CEO
United Way Greater Toronto


Update from the Frontlines

The situation on the ground is critical. Local agencies are facing staff shortages and service interruptions. Shutdowns are leading to lost wages, and increased food costs are pushing more people into food insecurity. To meet these challenges, United Way has once again started to quickly roll out emergency funding that will support resources like food baskets and grocery cards, N95 masks, air purifiers and other safety equipment so staff and residents can stay safe, and relief staff so essential programs can continue to operate.

You can help us keep essential programs running in the face of skyrocketing demand. Here are a few examples of what our emergency COVID support is making possible:

  • African Community Services of Peel is providing grocery gift cards to new immigrant families, seniors and youth from the Black community in Peel Region who cannot access their usual food programs.
  • Agincourt Community Services Association (ACSA) is buying safety equipment so that they can keep essential in-person services functioning, including their food bank and homeless drop-in program.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Peel is providing grocery cards to families experiencing food insecurity.
  • Human Endeavour is administering critical services to refugees and newcomers in York Region through delivery of grocery cards, groceries and personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • The 519 is supplementing their weekly food program with grocery gift cards that will allow 2SLGBTQ clients and their families to access fresh food.
  • The MIND Program is purchasing N95 respirators, gloves, shields and disinfectants so frontline workers can continue to safely address the food insecurity and isolation experienced by many of the tenants in two TCHC buildings.

Please help us hold the line for our communities.


Get Involved

United Way Emergency COVID support banner

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