The Lloydminster Community Youth Centre’s meal program has received a financial boost through Sobeys Inc.’s Community Action Fund.
Safeway Canada has recently donated over $2,100 in grocery gift cards to the LCYC through the fund, which goes towards the Dinner Thyme initiative. In addition to this funding, Sobeys Inc. has been providing the Community Youth Centre with fruit donations every week.
Lloydminster Interval Home Resource Development Manager Leanne Wildeman says the funding was very helpful for the program and in turn the families using it.
“It made a big difference. They were able to provide us with enough funding to help support seven weeks of the program. It made it possible for us to continue with that program, and create an enjoyable time for these families.”
Dinner Thyme was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a once a week meal drop-off for families involved with the LCYC’s programs. Kids were encouraged to have a “chef’s night,” using recipes that came along with the packages. In addition to the quality time for families, it allows the LCYC to check in with the families using their programming.
Wildeman explains that they’ve supported 16 to 20 families each week through the Dinner Thyme program, and they received positive feedback from families about it.
“[Families] were really excited. It was one of the highlights of the week that they’d be recieving this package each week, getting to prepare the meal, and just have a lot of fun with it and enjoy it together. It was one meal a week they didn’t have to think of, or create, or come up with on their own. It really build a sense of community and connection with the Youth Centre as well.”
Sobeys Inc.’s Community Action Fund aims to give its 1,500 grocery and pharmacy stores across Canada enhanced support to address their communities’ most urgent needs, Since starting the program, the company has put millions of dollars back into Canadian communities.