Kitchener – Waterloo REALTORS® give $9,550 to COVID-19 Stressed Food Bank of Waterloo Region
KITCHENER, June 23, 2020 — As COVID-19 continues to put pressure on the province’s already stretched shelter system, we are proud at Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors (KWAR) to be able to support The Food Bank of Waterloo Region in our local community by providing $9,550 in funding to assist with service continuity. This funding is part of a $480,000 donation made by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) that will be distributed by the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation (ORCF) to shelters, food banks and shelter-based charities.
“The impact of COVID-19 is being felt around the world, including in our local community of Waterloo Region, with vulnerable populations being disproportionately affected,” said Colleen Koehler, President of KWAR. “While we are all navigating the same terrible storm, we’re not all in the same boat. Realtors in Kitchener-Waterloo are proud to partner with our local food bank who are helping those who are coping with food insecurity on top of everything else during this unprecedented pandemic.”
ORCF’s funding will be distributed to more than 50 charities across Ontario. The ORCF is an organization that has supported shelter-based organizations throughout Ontario since 1977 and receives its funding through the generosity of Ontario’s REALTORS®. In 2019 alone, the Foundation raised more than $1.2 million for shelter-based organizations. Today’s donation is part of OREA’s and ORCF’s longstanding commitment to helping families in need of emergency and permanent housing.
“Thanks to the support and generosity of many corporate and community partners, such as the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of Realtors, we are able to meet the need of the most vulnerable in our community, while looking ahead and ensuring people in need of food assistance are taken care of during COVID-19 and beyond,” said Wendi Campbell, CEO, The Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “Your donation of nearly 30,000 meals will help ensure the continued delivery of essential services throughout Waterloo Region.”
“Now more than ever, our local communities and shelters need our support,” said Kevin Crigger, President, Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. “This funding is consistent with the socially responsible leadership that OREA, its 37 Member Boards and its REALTOR® Members provide to the Ontario communities they serve. When the COVID-19 health crisis is behind us, Ontario REALTORS® and the ORCF will still be there, as they’ve been for more than 40 years, raising money to support our local charities.”
The donation is being redirected from OREA’s one-time $5 million dollar grant to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation made earlier this year, facilitating a faster and direct distribution of funds at a time of need.
To donate to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation today, visit www.realtorscareontario.ca.
About the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®
The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) is a member focused not-for-profit association representing over 1,500 local REALTOR® members. The association was formed in 1937 and continues to provide a robust Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System, continuing education, and related services to its members. The term REALTOR® is a trademark identifying members in good standing of the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) who provide real estate brokerage services in compliance with CREA’s By-Laws and Rules, the REALTOR® Code, and in compliance with all applicable federal and provincial laws and regulations.
About the Ontario Real Estate Association
The Ontario Real Estate Association represents 80,000 REALTORS® who are Members of the 37 real estate boards throughout the province. OREA’s mission is to help Ontario REALTORS® succeed in building stronger communities. For almost one hundred years, OREA has promoted higher standards in real estate for the benefit of consumers and REALTORS® alike. As one of Canada’s largest professional associations, we are Ontario’s strongest advocate for home and property ownership, property rights, and prosperous communities. OREA serves its REALTOR® members through the production of Standard Forms, top-tier advocacy, award-winning leadership development and other services.
About the Ontario REALTORS® Care Foundation
The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, formerly the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation was established in 1967. The Foundation supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario, making a difference in the lives of people and communities where REALTORS® live and conduct business.
For more information contact:
Tania Benninger, Communications Manager
519-576-1400 ext. 227