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Alliston Good Shepherd Food Bank Honoured

The Good Shepherd Food Bank in Allison has been recognized for its ongoing outstanding, critical work in the community. This recognition comes at a time when news reports project a rise in demand for food bank services by as much as 60% in 2023.

Left-to-Right: Board Members Dave Bradbury, Joan Starr, Janet Humphrey

The recognition of the The Good Shepherd Food Bank | Alliston came as a part of Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week Act, or Bill 9, which was given Royal Assent in 2021. It proclaims that nonprofits “serve millions of Ontarians every year in every corner of the province. Ontario Premier Doug Ford recognizes the hard working people at nonprofits as being community champions.

Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson said the Ontario government is supporting those who need it most. “That’s why we’ve made the largest increase to ODSP rates in decades, and aligned them to inflation, so that vulnerable people get more support to pay for life’s essentials, especially during periods of high inflation, which will first happen in July. We also raised the ODSP earned income threshold by 400% – which will keep more money in the pockets of ODSP recipients who are able to work” stated Saunderson.

In addition, the Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage to $16.55 an hour on October 1, 2023. This 6.8 per cent pay raise for low-income workers builds on the government’s steady and predictable increases every year to help families offset the rising cost of living.

“Our government has taken action to help those who can work contribute to their communities and lead better lives, and we’re supporting those who cannot work by putting more money in their pockets, including during periods of high inflation” MPP Saunderson said.