In general, Canadian charities of all shapes and sizes have seen a lack of funding since the onset of the pandemic. With the cancellation of a huge number of fundraiser events and other donation campaigns, the past year has left many organizations unsure of their futures.
The B.C. chapter of the international female foodservice association Les Dames d’Escoffier is hoping to provide some aid to a variety of local initiatives in need by way of their new $40,000 fund. Staying true to the association's mantra of uplifting non-binary and female-identifying people within the restaurant industry, the LDBC Relief Fund is being made available to B.C.-based organizations and programs that specifically support non-binary and female-identifying individuals and their families by improving food security, providing education, and other important services.
This fund comes hot off the heels of the association’s $50,000 sponsorship program made available to female-identifying hospitality professionals.
“We developed these grants to assist established programs that empower women and encourage positive change within the food industry,” explains LDBC co-president Cassandra Anderton. “A number of the charitable events and promotions we normally support had to be cancelled or postponed last year, and this is our way of continuing to give back to our local communities.”
Grants available from the relief fund range from $500 to $5,000 and are open for now until March 31, 2021. Eligible organizations and programs that fit the criteria of delivering successful experiences and support to women and their families through food access or mentorship are encouraged to review the guidelines and complete an application online.
