Ontario farmers aiding displaced Ukrainians

Mar 23, 2022

Ontario farmers have raised a combined $12,000 for Ukrainian peoples displaced by the Russian invasion.

By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image via Pixabay.com

Ontario farmers are doing what they can financially to provide aid for Ukrainians displaced by the Russian invasion. An estimated 2.3 million+ Ukrainians have already fled their country.

The fundraising efforts began with the Essex County Federation of Agriculture (ECFA) wanting to support local families with Ukrainian roots, providing $500 to the Canadian Red Cross Ukrainian Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

The ECFA then challenged other federations across Ontario to do the same.

“We may have our challenges with weather or government policies or trade agreements, but at the end of the day Ontario farmers aren’t faced with a situation where we are using our tractors to haul away the tanks of an invading military,” stated Leo Guillbeault, President of the ECFA. “While Ukrainians stand on the front lines fighting for freedom, the least we can do is show some support for those who have been displaced by this war.”

Currently, 19 county and regional federations have stepped up to the challenge from Essex County, raising a combined $12,000. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is contributing to the challenge by matching donations up to $20,000.

“The situation in Ukraine is horrific,” said Peggy Brekveld, President of the OFA. “Millions of people have been forced to flee, and those who have stayed by their homes are putting their lives on the line. It is an unfathomable reality. Every little bit we can do helps.”

Donations from Ontario farmers are being made to several charitable organizations providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine, including the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

To date, the Canadian Red Cross has committed $45 million to the International Red Cross response to provide critical humanitarian assistance to those in need because of the conflict. To donate to the Canadian Red Cross, visit https://www.redcross.ca/.

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a faith-based humanitarian organization of 15 churches and church-based agencies dedicated to ending global hunger. It typically works with local groups in developing countries to meet emergency food needs, and has been actively working in response to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Donations to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank can be made at https://foodgrainsbank.ca/.

Based in Guelph, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, and represents over 38,000 farm families across the province. It works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. For more information, visit https://ofa.on.ca/.

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