QUEBEC
CITY, Dec. 21, 2023 /CNW/ - Once again this
year, iA Financial Group is pleased to provide concrete
support for the remarkable work being done by food banks and is
announcing a donation of $200,000 to
Food Banks Canada.
Food Banks Canada is a national charity working to maximize the
efforts of more than 4,750 food banks and community organizations.
With this network, Food Banks Canada is working towards their
vision of a Canada where no one
goes hungry, by focusing on relieving hunger today and preventing
hunger tomorrow. This donation from iA will support local
food banks in helping families who need it most.
In March 2023, there were almost 2
million visits to food banks across Canada, representing a 78.5% increase compared
to March 2019 and a 32% increase
compared to March 2022, which is the
highest year-over-year increase in usage ever reported. In
addition, one third of food bank clients are children.
"During the holiday season, food banks are stretched to the
limit, at a time when families need them more than ever," said
Denis Ricard, President and Chief
Executive Officer of iA Financial Group. "As a company, we have to
support them as much as we can, because their mission is
essential."
"Right now, it's a very difficult time for many of our family
and friends across the country, we know this because in 2023
food bank use hit its highest levels in Canadian history," shared
Kirstin Beardsley, CEO, Food Banks
Canada. "As the need continues to grow, we are so grateful to iA
Financial Group for donating $200,000
to Food For All. This generous donation allows us to provide
400,000 meals to people across Canada experiencing food insecurity. Thank you
iA Financial Group for your contribution, allowing us to work
towards our vision of a Canada
where no one goes hungry."
This donation is part of a large-scale philanthropy program,
under which the company donated a total of $9.4 million
to approximately 600 educational, social, community, environmental
and health organizations in Canada
in 2023.
In addition, this year, iA raised over $2.6 million in our annual United Way campaign,
thanks to the generosity of our employees.
Our sustainable development
approach
In order to be a company that contributes to sustainable growth
and the wellbeing of its clients, employees, partners, investors
and communities, iA Financial Group has made sustainable
development a priority. To guide our achievements, we incorporate
environmental, social and governance factors into our operations,
as attested by our use of the iA Sustainable pictogram.
About iA Financial
Group
iA Financial Group is one of the largest insurance and wealth
management groups in Canada, with
operations in the United States.
Founded in 1892, it is an important Canadian public company and is
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols IAG
(common shares) and IAF (preferred shares).
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger
today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food
bank network from coast to coast to coast. For 40 years, food banks
have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food
insecurity. Over 4,750 food banks and community organizations come
together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who in March of
this year made nearly two million visits to these organizations,
according to our 2023 HungerCount Report. Over the past 10 years,
as a system, we've sourced and shared over 635 million kilograms of
food and Food Banks Canada has shared nearly $168 million in funding to help maximize
collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while advocating
for reducing the need for food banks. Our vision is clear: to
create a Canada where no one goes
hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca to learn more.
ia.ca
iA Financial Group is a business name and trademark of iA
Financial Corporation Inc. and Industrial Alliance Insurance
and Financial Services Inc.
SOURCE iA Financial Group