A Brief History
Innovation has long been committed to making a difference in the communities we serve. One of our most impactful initiatives is addressing food insecurity.
Rising food costs have made it challenging for people in need to afford even the basics of life. Their increased reliance on charitable organizations has left these great food assistance programs and groups stretched, greatly impacting their ability to serve everyone.
It was with this in mind that we developed our first community impact campaign. Let’s take a look at our program’s journey.
2021: Laying the Foundation
In 2021, Innovation launched its inaugural Community Impact Campaign. The goal was simple yet profound: support local registered charitable organizations.
The campaign ultimately contributed to eight organizations including food banks and meal programs. Our staff and members rallied together, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their neighbours in need.
The campaign made a significant impact, providing thousands of meals to those facing food scarcity in our two new markets Saskatoon and Regina.
2022: A Critical Year
The year 2022 brought unprecedented challenges. Inflation surged, affecting everyone, especially vulnerable populations. Food banks and meal programs were stretched thin, struggling to meet the increased demand. We responded by adding three communities to this campaign and focused on food security: Swift Current, North Battleford, and Meadow Lake.
With a generous donation of $50,000, we supported 10 local charitable organizations, providing approximately 10,000 meals. Each meal represented hope, sustenance, and resilience.
2023: Expanding the Reach
Building on the success of previous years, we continued our commitment to food security. The 2023 Community Impact Campaign targeted organizations with meal programs.
Through strategic partnerships, we donated funds to six outstanding community organizations. The impact was tangible: the over $54,500 donated translated into 15,000 meals for our neighbours in need in eight communities including Buffalo Narrows, Île-à-la-Crosse, and La Loche.
2024 and Beyond: A Renewed Commitment to Food Equity
As we step into 2024, our Community Impact Campaign will change its name to Innovation Food Security and once again expand its reach. As a federal credit union, we will include four additional communities: Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto.
Our commitment remains unwavering: feeding the hungry, fostering resilience, and building stronger communities. Join us in this noble endeavour. Together, we can turn compassion into action, one meal at a time. Watch for volunteer opportunities near you!
#InnovationInTheCommunity
The total impact of meals served throughout the history of Innovation’s Food Security Campaign is 50,000 meals and growing. These meals have nourished countless individuals and families, providing sustenance, hope, and resilience to those facing food insecurity.
- Boys & Girls Club Battlefords: Innovation Grub Club
- Saskatoon Friendship Inn Meal Sponsorship Program: Serving warm meals to those experiencing homelessness.
- The Swift Current Salvation Army Food Bank and Wednesday Night Meal: Providing comfort and nourishment.
- Souls Harbour Rescue Mission - Regina: Offering hope and sustenance.
- Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan (Île-à-la-Crosse, Buffalo Narrows, La Loche): Bridging cultural gaps by extending to Northern Communities and ensuring no one goes hungry.
- Regina Foodbank: Neighbors feeding Neighbors.
- Regina Food for Learning: Providing nourishing food to children in schools.
- Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre: Ensuring a food secure community.
- Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre: Serving our community with a variety of food programs.
- Meadow Lake Outreach Food Bank and Door of Hope Soup Kitchen: Filling empty stomachs.
- University of Alberta Campus Food Bank: We believe students should hunger for knowledge, not food.
- Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids (BB4CK): Communities caring for kids.
- Winnipeg Agape Table: Providing a community-based program, nourishing the body, mind, and spirit of our guests.
- Toronto Out of the Cold: responding in a meaningful way to the basic physical needs of shelter, food and warm clothing for the less fortunate members of our society.
Learn more about the Innovation Federal Credit Union Food Security Campaign.