TELUS Calgary Community Board gives $140,000 to nonprofits to aid in COVID-19 response

CALGARY, Alberta, April 17, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, the TELUS Calgary Community Board announced it is directing $140,000 in grants to local, grassroots charities to support organizations responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is committing another $360,000 for a total of $500,000 to be given out in 2020. TELUS and its 13 Canadian Community Boards have a longstanding history of being there for our local customers and communities in the face of adversity.
“In these unprecedented times, the value that our charitable sector provides our communities is more crucial than ever. As the charities and nonprofits across the country work to rapidly pivot their programs, these funds are crucial to enable the delivery of resources to those who need it most,” said Marilyn McCaig, Board Chair of the TELUS Calgary Community Board. “TELUS Community Boards have empowered local community leaders who know the needs in their communities best with the authority to make funding decisions that will have the greatest impact on the lives of their neighbours, and we are proud to support vital community work during this crisis.”The nine grassroots organizations receiving emergency funding to support COVID relief from the TELUS Calgary Community Board are:Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary – food security program and assistance to at risk youthCalgary Distress Centre – provides 24/7 support for distressed Calgarians;including youthCalgary Drop-In Centre – overnight shelter to safely house 3,000 homeless adultsCalgary Food Bank – deploying a drive-thru food process to align with safety guidelinesChildren’s Cottage Society – a crisis nursery for at-risk families in distressCUPS – provides free healthcare for 8,400 vulnerable citizens at inner-city medical clinicInn from the Cold – Calgary’s only family homeless shelter, billeting families through crisisNative Counselling Services Alberta – offers local, no-cost services for Indigenous peoplesThe Kerby Centre – a grocery delivery and prescription refill program for isolated seniorsSince 2005, TELUS’ 13 Canadian Community Boards have given $75 million to local, grassroots charities that help vulnerable kids gain access to the technology, health and educational resources that give them the opportunity to thrive in our increasingly digital world.On March 18, the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation announced a $10 million commitment to urgently support and enhance public healthcare capacity and community response across Canada including funding to help purchase new medical technology and equipment, such as ventilators, as well as increased support for food security, outreach to isolated seniors, virtual education programs, and mental health initiatives.In Alberta alone, TELUS has contributed $200 million to and volunteered more than 500,000 days with charitable and community organizations since 2000.For the latest information about TELUS’ support during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit telus.com/covid19.Driven by our passionate social purpose to connect all Canadians for good, our deeply meaningful and enduring philosophy to give where we live has inspired our team members and retirees to contribute more than $700 million and 1.3 million days of service since 2000. This unprecedented generosity and unparalleled volunteerism have made TELUS the most giving company in the world.For more information about TELUS, please visit telus.com, follow us @TELUSNews on Twitter and @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.For media inquiries, please contact: