Saskatoon food bank gets ‘monumental’ boost from Dubé Foundation

The Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre is celebrating a “monumental” gift.

The food bank’s $12-million capital campaign to fund a new location got a $1.5-million donation from the Les and Irene Dubé Foundation this week. Prior to the announcement of the big donation, the food bank was already more than 70 per cent of the way to its goal, and construction at the new location on Avenue P is expected to begin this spring.

“This transformative gift will play a crucial role in furthering the organization’s mission to ensure a food-secure Saskatoon and enhance its capacity to serve the community,” the food bank said in a news release.

In honour of the major gift, the food bank said the distribution centre at its new home will be known as the Les and Irene Dubé Distribution Centre. The food bank said the philanthropic couple have been supporters for two decades and often provide a major fruit donation at Christmastime.

“Each year, a semi-truck filled with apples and oranges arrives at the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre, enriching the nutritional content of our holiday food hampers,” the food bank noted.

“We believe in the power of sharing and helping those in need, and it is an honour to support the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre in their mission to provide nutritious food to our community,” Les Dubé said in a statement.

“Together, we can make a difference.”

–Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to correct an error regarding the naming of the distribution centre.