THUNDER BAY — A new fund launched in the city today will offer emergency assistance to households in the community at risk of falling into poverty due to time-sensitive and critical needs.
The urgent needs fund will be administered by 211 North. The United Way of Thunder Bay announced the new initiative at The Persian Man on Tuesday, which is 211 day.
In support of the fund, the local bakery is also donating a dollar from each limited-edition Red Persian they sell from Feb. 11 to 14.
“This will be a resource that people who maybe might otherwise fall through the cracks can apply to and get support for unexpected or emergency expenses,” said Albert Brulé, the United Way of Thunder Bay's CEO.
He said while there are similar funds in other communities across Ontario, it is brand new for the community and something that Thunder Bay really needs.
“More and more we're seeing people who've never had to ask for help before reaching out to 211, looking for support. So, this urgent needs fund will help meet that need, but of course, there's also the basic 211 service, which will help point people in the direction that will help get them back on the right track,” said Brulé.
“I just am so happy to be here,” said Marie Klassen, the Lakehead Social Planning Council executive director.
“As you know, it’s 211 Day, but it’s also the 17th-anniversary date of 211 North here in Thunder Bay. So we’re extremely excited to be here with our partners and we recognize that Thunder Bay is a caring and generous community.”
Klassen said they know Thunder Bay will come to participate in this fundraiser and the final product will help a lot of people in need.
She thanked the Persian man for allowing everyone to invade their space and participating in the fund’s fundraiser.
As the primary sponsor, Tbaytel kicked off the fund with a $10,000 donation.
As a new initiative for Tbaytel, Paul Norris, Tbaytel’s president and CEO, said he was just happy to be there on behalf of all the great employees at Tbaytel and ecstatic to be a part of this community.
He added that 211 is a great resource for people facing a wide variety of challenges: “211 is a line that people can call when they have any kind of need, which is personal, perhaps it's financial, perhaps they need some resource assistance and the 211 councillors can help walk them through that.”
“And this $10,000 contribution is some money that can help go towards some of those needs that customers have on an interim basis.”
Norris said he loves the red persians and what they mean to this community.
The United Way of Thunder Bay was an inaugural partner of 211 North when it launched in 2008.
Together with Tbaytel and 211 North, it has joined its long-standing partners to invite community members, businesses and service clubs to step up and help establish this fund.
Brulé encourages people to show local love and treat their sweetheart at the same time by coming down to the Persian man and “getting a beautiful red Persian.”
“A, they're delicious. B, you get that warm feeling from knowing that you're supporting others in our community who are really being pushed to the margins,” said Brulé.
Residents looking to learn more or donate to the fund can do so online.
