The Manitoba government has announced that it is providing $205,000 in funding to support food security initiatives for seniors throughout the province.

“All Manitobans deserve to be able to age with dignity and independence in the communities they call home,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “For seniors living on fixed incomes or facing mobility challenges, getting healthy food can be difficult, especially in rural and northern communities. This funding will help trusted community organizations get food directly to seniors who need it.”

Food for the initiatives will be procured locally, supporting Manitoba organizations and suppliers. Food hampers delivered by Heart to Home Meals will be sourced through Harvest Manitoba, while the Thompson Seniors Resource Council will source food from local suppliers in the region.

Initiatives approved for funding include:

  • Heart to Home Meals – $80,000 to co-ordinate the intake and delivery of food hampers;
  • Thompson Seniors Resource Council – $50,000 to expand food security programming to seniors in rural and northern Manitoba; and
  • Indigenous-led food security initiatives – $75,000 for seniors, divided equally among three organizations: $25,000 to Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak; $25,000 to Southern Chiefs’ Organization; and $25,000 to Manitoba Métis Federation.

“Food security is about more than simply delivering food, it is about ensuring older adults in our community have access to the support they need while maintaining their dignity and independence,” said Fred Pennell, owner, Heart to Home Meals Winnipeg. “Heart to Home Meals is proud to continue our work with Harvest Manitoba and the Manitoba government to ensure that older Winnipeggers who may face barriers accessing food can receive their hampers safely and reliably at home. We have seen firsthand how important this program is, and we are honoured to take on this responsibility and continue serving our community with compassion, respect and care.”

The funding supports Pathways Forward: Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy , which identifies seniors as a priority population and focuses on ensuring older Manitobans have the support, resources and opportunities needed to live with dignity, financial security and independence, the minister noted.