Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, and Lawrence Thomas Shebib, Executive Director of the North Sydney Food Bank Society, announced over $1 million in federal funding for energy and accessibility improvements to the North Sydney Community Food Bank and neighbouring gymnasium.
Funding will support the construction of a wheelchair ramp at the food bank, to make the facility more accessible for individuals with limited mobility, and the installation of a 182-panel rooftop solar power system. The neighbouring gymnasium, which hosts indoor activities for food bank clients, will have a 110-panel solar power system installed on its rooftop. Its entrances, exits, and washrooms will undergo accessibility upgrades, and a new lobby will be built.
The installation of solar panels will reduce the facility's energy consumption by an estimated 99% and greenhouse gas emissions by 107 tonnes annually, cutting operating costs and pollution.
The North Sydney Food Bank Society works to address food security and hunger within the community and provides assistance with housing, employment and service connections.
By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.
