Rogers family helps vulnerable Canadians with $60-million investment

In order to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rogers family is making a $60-million community donation to help vulnerable Canadians.

As Rogers celebrates its 60th anniversary of serving Canadians, the Rogers family – Loretta Rogers, wife of the late Ted Rogers, and their children Lisa, Edward, and Martha Rogers and Melinda Rogers-Hixon and their families – are donating to organizations supporting those living with food insecurity; disabilities; homelessness; domestic violence; and at-risk children and youth.

Working to help Canadians recover, the Rogers family donation will help in the following ways:

FEEDING CANADIANS

No Canadian should worry about their next meal. This family donation will help Food Banks Canada by increasing bulk food purchases and working collaboratively with communities and industries within the agricultural sector to build dedicated food production partnerships.

The gift will also allow the Salvation Army to serve more fresh healthy food; to increase transportation for food delivery and food delivery hubs to support 257 food banks serving 400 communities.

HOMELESSNESS AND DOMESTIC CRISIS HELP

Every Canadian needs a safe place to call home. The funds will help address immediate COVID-19 needs in Salvation Army shelters in pandemic “hot spots.” For Women’s Shelters Canada, these funds will help to increase training for shelter workers; support shelters to work together in a new, more digitally focused context; and support shelters in rural, remote, Northern and Indigenous communities. While the safety network offered by Salvation Army and Women’s Shelters Canada help so many in need, additional funds will help support others in need, specifically in areas underserved by the broader shelter networks.

SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Every kid needs opportunities to grow and learn. The funds will help the Children’s Aid Foundation with an immediate and urgent need to support youth 18-29 who have aged out of the government care system to help vulnerable young adults with housing, food, and other emergency needs.

The gift will also support two critical programs at BOOST Child & Youth Advocacy Centreto help children and families during child abuse investigations and treatment. The funds will help support Easter Seals to purchase mobility equipment, accessibility devices, online services to reduce social and physical isolation and award educational scholarships for those living with disabilities.

And through Ted Rogers Community Grants,the funds will help more than 150 organizations in underserved communities across every province and territory in Canada, with programs for vulnerable youth focusing on leadership, mentoring, and academic support.

The Rogers family donation builds on Rogers Communications’ support of Food Banks of Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada, Women’s Shelters Canada and PFLAG Canada, to help some of the most vulnerable groups across the country during the crisis and recovery period to follow the COVID-19 pandemic.