Glencore Kidd Operations have donated over $100,000 towards COVID-19 relief efforts

**GLENCORE KIDD OPERATIONS NEWS RELEASE**

Glencore Kidd Operations announces second wave of donations. Glencore Kidd Operations is donating $87,500 to four local organizations for their emerging needs as COVID-19 continues. With the previously announced $10,000 to the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation and $3,500 to the Timmins and District Victim Services, Glencore Kidd Operations to date has donated over $100,000 to COVID-19 relief efforts.

“Kidd Operations is thankful for the opportunity to support the community during these challenging times. We first donated hand sanitizer to the City of Timmins for them to distribute to the front-line health care workers and now we are supporting the community by donating funds to organizations that focus on assisting those in need,” said Mark Furlotte, General Manager at Glencore Kidd Operations.

$50,000 will go to the United Way Centraide North East Ontario Community Response Fund and provide emergency grants to local charitable organizations working to support individuals within the community.

“The impact of today’s announcement will bring much-needed relief to our community,” said Mary Lou Hussak, Executive Director of UWCNEO. “It will help build the capacity of social service organizations in Timmins by providing financial support that will address the increased demand for services that help meet basic needs. The COVID-19 health crisis has affected our entire community but has undoubtedly had a disproportionate impact on vulnerable people, including seniors and people living in poverty. We thank Glencore Canada Corporation Kidd Operations for this generous investment and for helping to strengthen the social fabric of our community.”

$37,500 will go to support the local efforts of community food centres working to provide food security during these unprecedented times. The Timmins Food Bank, the Lord’s Kitchen, and the South Porcupine Food Bank will each receive $12,500. 

“From January 1 to March 31, 2020 the South Porcupine Food Bank served an average of 271 people per month, which was 11% higher in comparison to 2019 during the same time period,” said Peter Davis, Treasurer at the South Porcupine Food Bank. “This very generous donation from Kidd Operations will go to buy perishable and non-perishable food items, hygiene items, as well as grocery store gift cards to assist our clients during these uncertain and challenging times.”

“The timing of this donation is perfect, because even with the additional weekly Hot Take-Out Meals there are approximately 100 people being served each night,” said Dee Russell, President of the Lord’s Kitchen. “Like many other organizations we have made some adjustments in our facility to follow the physical distancing guidelines and we now serve the meals outside where everyone can properly distance themselves. Thankfully, we have had many younger volunteers step up and help our regular group of volunteers.”

“This donation will go directly to buying food for the Timmins Food Bank. We are needing two and half truckloads of food delivered weekly to help with the high demand we have received due to COVID-19,” said Rick Young, Chair of the Timmins Food Bank.