Metro fundraising campaign will help communities in need

April 7, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – METRO Inc. has announced a donation of $500,000 to Feed Ontario and United Way, along with a pledge to match customer donations of up to $500,000 in support of its Together We Can toonie-fundraising campaign.

Until April 30, METRO will be appealing to the generosity of its Metro and Food Basics customers inviting them to donate a toonie at checkout in stores.

The company says it is committed to helping Ontario communities during the COVID-19 pandemic who are struggling with food insecurity and other essential services which also include eldercare and mental health support.

“At METRO we are committed to do everything we can to support communities in need across Ontario during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Carmen Fortino, executive vice president, Ontario division head and national supply chain, METRO. “The idea of Together We Can has never been more true and I am proud that Metro and Food Basics, with the help of our customers, can truly make a difference during these difficult times.”

METRO has chosen its longtime community partners, Feed Ontario and United Way, to distribute the much-needed aid to regional agencies.

The pledge is an additional donation in Ontario after announcing on March 25 a $500,000 donation to Feed Ontario and Food banks of Québec, as well as a $500,000 donation to the emergency fund of United Way/Centraide.

“We can not thank our longstanding partner, METRO, enough for their unwavering commitment to Ontario’s food banks and communities across the province, particularly during this unprecedented time of need,” said Carolyn Stewart, executive director, Feed Ontario. “This commitment will directly support Feed Ontario’s COVID-19 Emergency Food Box program, helping us to provide nutritious food to our province’s most vulnerable.”

Daniele Zanotti, president & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto, said people who already face significant barriers of poverty, homelessness and social isolation need help more than ever and access to food has emerged as an immediate priority for most vulnerable residents.

“United Way’s network of agencies have been working quickly and tirelessly to adapt their food service delivery and meet these urgent needs. Thank you, METRO, a long time United Way partner, for helping us make sure that everyone has access to nutritious food. We’re all in this together, and it is together that we will get through this. That’s the power of community.”

METRO Inc. operates or services a network of some 950 food stores under several banners as well as some 650 drugstores primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners, providing employment to almost 90,000 people.