WINNIPEG, MB, April 15, 2011 – It’s the perfect gift at the perfect time.
After Siloam Mission announced its expansion into the Madison Lodge earlier this week, the Manitoba Pork Council is donating one ton of meat products to the downtown homeless shelter to support Siloam’s growing meal program.
Since taking over the Madison on April 1st — and serving three daily meals there — Siloam’s meal program has grown by 1785 meals per week.
That’s a 25% increase from before, making Siloam rely on community support more than ever before.
“Manitoba farmers produce high quality pork, and we are proud to share our abundance with Siloam Mission and its clients at a time of particular need,” says Karl Kynoch, Manitoba Pork Chairman. “Our hope is that it helps in some small way as Siloam boldly tackles hunger and homelessness in Winnipeg.”
The donation includes 100 bone-in Winkler hams, 20 cases of pork sausages, 500 pork on a bun and $3,000 in cash.
The Manitoba Pork Council will drop off the first half of the donation today at 11:00 a.m. at Siloam Mission on 300 Princess Street. The second half will be dropped off in the first week of July.
“The gift could not have come at a better time. We are now serving 255 more meals every day, so we trust that the community steps forward in meeting that need, just like they have in the past,” says Siloam’s executive director Floyd Perras.
“To us, this is what community means – local businesses and people connecting with those who need it most in their city by doing what they can with what they have where they are.”
The gift is the largest meat donation ever made to Siloam Mission and will help carry the meal program during the expansion.
EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE: The Manitoba Pork Council will drop off the first half of the donation today at 11:00 a.m. at Siloam Mission on 300 Princess Street.
For more information, please contact:
Mike Duerksen
Communications Coordinator
Office: 204.956.4344 ext. 238
Cell: 204.228.6429
mike.duerksen@siloam.ca