City of Winnipeg signs on as a Lead Supporter of Nourishing Potential

June 12, 2014

Recent grants totalling almost $120,000 also announced

The City of Winnipeg has signed on as a Lead Supporter of the Nourishing Potential initiative, committing $250,000 towards the program.

“We are thrilled the City of Winnipeg has demonstrated its commitment to the health and well-being of Winnipeg kids by supporting the Nourishing Potential Fund,” says Richard Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation. “Access to healthy food and the ability to prepare that food is integral to ensuring young people have the energy and life skills necessary to succeed.”

“As Mayor, I’m proud that the City is a leading sponsor, providing $250,000 during the next three years, to the Nourishing Potential initiative. With Winnipeg’s projected population approaching one million people in the next 20 years, it’s vital that we invest in the younger generation now, to lead us into a strong, healthy future,” says Mayor Sam Katz. “Thousands of children in Winnipeg attend after-school, drop-in and summer programs, and by empowering children with the ability to choose and cook nutritious meals for themselves and their families, we’re setting our community up for success.”

Nourishing Potential’s other Lead Supporters include the Province of Manitoba, Assiniboine Credit Union and the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation, each committing $250,000 towards the initiative. The Fund is also being built thanks to the generous support of hundreds of additional donors. The City of Winnipeg’s $250,000 gift brings the Nourishing Potential endowment Fund to close to $3 million – well on the way to the $5 million goal. A $5 million endowment will support important nutrition programs with between $200,000 and $250,000 per year. Forever.

The June 12 announcement and event also celebrated the hard work of the 19 community organizations that received $119,372 in support during the most recent round of Nourishing Potential grants. Please see a list of the organizations and their work attached.

The event was held at Inner City Youth Alive (ICYA), a charitable organization that runs a popular drop-in program in the William Whyte neighbourhood and has received a number of Nourishing Potential grants since the program began.

Nourishing Potential launched in May 2011, and has granted $691,086 to 62 community agencies across our city. The impact of these grants is extensive – from providing kids the opportunity to try kiwis for the first time, to teaching children and youth how to prepare healthy food and eat well on a budget, to helping a North End facility voluntarily phase out pop and energy drinks.

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For more information:

Stacy Cardigan Smith, Communications Coordinator
The Winnipeg Foundation
204.944.9474 ext. 244
Email Stacy Cardigan Smith

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