MAPLE RIDGE – New Democrat MLAs Lisa Beare and Bob D’Eith say that a $25,000 grant will help local government to improve food security for vulnerable and low-income people in Maple Ridge.

“I’m so pleased to see funding to strengthen local solutions for poverty reduction,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows. “It’s vital that this support is tailored to the needs of people experiencing poverty here in our community.”

“This funding will give our community more tools to address poverty and inequality,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge – Mission. “These issues are complex, but food security is a key part of reducing overall inequality.”

The MLAs say the grant funding will support a community-based assessment of food security in Maple Ridge, as well as the creation of a community plan to address food security issues in the city with a poverty reduction lens.

The local investment is part of the Poverty Reduction Planning and Action Program which will empower 54 local governments across the province, through 29 projects, to develop poverty reduction plans that directly support people in their communities.

The 29 projects are receiving a total of $1.4 million, from a $5 million provincial grant to the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM). The grant is part of the New Democrat government’s commitment to partner with local governments and communities in poverty reduction initiatives, as part of TogetherBC, B.C.’s first poverty reduction strategy.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020SDPR0032-000990