November/December 2020

FEEL-GOOD STORIES FROM THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
The Power
of Mentorship
STARBUCKS CANADA SUPPORTING
CANADIAN BLACK YOUTH
In partnership with the Black Business and Professional Association
(BBPA), Starbucks Canada and MentorCanada are offering 1,000
young Black Canadians between the ages of 14 and 29 the opportunity
to be part of a mentorship program called MentorME. The goal of
the program is to equip Black youth with knowledge, guidance,
resources and support to help secure employment, fulfill their
potential in the workplace, build resilience and find resources for
educational completion and achievement.
Developed in partnership with the BBPA, SAY IT LOUD,
MentorCanada and Starbucks Canada, MentorME has been created
to address the needs of Black youth across specific industries,
including literary arts, visual arts, culinary art, performing art,
technology, social impact and innovation, fashion design and
entrepreneurship, connecting young Black Canadians to adult
mentors from various professional sectors.
“The BBPA is committed to the wholesome development of
members of the Black Community here in Canada,” says Nadine
Spencer, president of the BBPA. “We have thousands of Black
youth who are eager to access networks, resources and information
that will accelerate their career and personal development. I’m
pleased that the MentorME Program will serve as a platform to
deliver these solutions to the members of the community waiting
to receive them.”
Earlier this summer, Starbucks Canada pledged $100,000 in
funding to co-create and launch the MentorME program with the
BBPA as part of its Canadian commitments to act against anti-
Black racism. In addition to this funding, Starbucks will work with
its employees and other organizations to help them apply to be
mentors for the program.
Great
Egg-spectations
On World Egg Day, celebrated October 9, Egg
Farmers of Canada and chef Lynn Crawford
celebrated the hard-working heroes and champions
in the food sector who help deliver fresh,
local, high-quality eggs to Canadians every day.
To mark the occasion, Egg Farmers of
Canada and Crawford produced a special video
to share their appreciation for those helping
provide local food items for all Canadians. The
Feeding
the Masses
video features egg farmers from across Canada
expressing their gratitude and shining a light
on the many people who have stepped up in
incredible ways in recent months.
Supporting local communities has always been
important to egg farmers and like many other
Canadians, recent events emphasized the importance
of doing what we can to support friends,
neighbours and community members.
CARGILL, FOOD BANKS CANADA RESPOND
TO INCREASE DEMAND FOR FOOD RELIEF
COVID-19 has escalated the urgency to address hunger gaps in communities around
the world as families grapple with the economic impact of the global pandemic.
According to a recent study, one in seven Canadians are affected by food insecurity as
a result of the economic downturn caused by the virus. To help address the increased
demand for food relief, Cargill has stepped up its efforts to ensure Canadians have
food on their tables.
To date in 2020, Cargill has committed $3.5 million to food banks across Canada,
with $2.1 million of the total giving specifically in response to COVID-19 relief efforts.
This equates to eight-million meals distributed from British Columbia to Quebec. In
addition to financial support, the company has donated 364,928 kg of product to local
food banks through partnerships with organizations such as Food Banks Canada.
“Cargill has been a long-time supporter of Food Banks Canada and the entire
food-banking network, supporting not only financially, but with critical product
donations,” sayd Chris Hatch, CEO at Food Banks Canada.
For the last six years, Cargill and Food Banks Canada have worked to provide and
training and resources to local food banks. In the face of the pandemic, the two
organizations have looked for opportunities to reach out further in to the community.
54 FOODSERVICE AND HOSPITALITY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 FOODSERVICEANDHOSPITALITY.COM