Libro Credit Union invests $348,000 with five non-profits

Libro Credit Union invests $348,000 with five non-profits working on food security, employment and housing

For immediate use
February 21, 2021

Libro Credit Union invested $348,000 with five local non-profits leading the charge in tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our region: local food accessibility, employment and housing stability.

“We have the privilege to partner with local non-profit organizations who share our concern for the good of our communities,” said Liz Arkinstall, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Libro Credit Union. “Sharing our expertise, resources, and local love is core to our business. We know when our communities succeed, we all succeed.”

The initiatives sharing Libro’s investment are:

  • Mobile Market, a project of Prosperity Roundtable
  • Urban Roots London, Growing Food Security
  • Seeding Innovation in Food Entrepreneurship
  • Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, Exploring Huron County’s Food Landscape Study
  • Supportive Housing of Waterloo, Show the Way Home for Seniors

Concern for the good of our communities and our customer-Owners is the essence of who we are at Libro. As a certified B Corporation, Libro uses all our resources to grow prosperity in southwestern Ontario, investing 100% of profits into the people, businesses, and communities we serve. To deliver on our promise Libro focuses on these pillars:  Employment, Financial Resilience, Local Food Accessibility and Housing.
To learn more about Libro’s community investment programs, visit libro.ca/community.

The Mobile Market helps the community connect with and learn more about local produce through a weekly market. Currently, the Mobile Market travels to 12 communities across Chatham-Kent, making fresh vegetables and fruits accessible and affordable. All produce is sourced from local farmers and sold by donation. With Libro’s support, the mobile market will expand its operations for another year, reaching communities that do not have local grocery stores or food emergency resources nearby, helping increase food literacy and sharing skill development activities.

Urban Roots London is a non-profit organization that revitalizes underused land for agriculture by producing and distributing high-quality produce. As part of URL’s model of thirds, no more than 33% of its production is sold at full price, 33% is sold at affordable rates, and no less than 33% is donated to community partners. Libro’s investment will help Urban Roots make upgrades to their farm to expand their growing season and increase production of high-quality, sustainably grown produce from 9,000 lbs in year one to 20,000 in year four, thus benefiting more members of the London community.

Libro has joined the efforts to support food and beverage production start-ups and entrepreneurs in the region through a full spectrum of mentoring activities to support their success. The Small Business Centre and the London Economic Development Corporation have been delivering programs on starting and scaling up food businesses for the past four years. Now, with support from Libro, these programs will be offered across the region, in partnership with regional Small Business Centres.

  • Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, Exploring Huron County’s Food Landscape 
    gatewayruralhealth.ca

Gateway is a grassroots, community-driven, not-for-profit organization which aims to improve the health status and quality of life of rural residents by actively conducting research on rural health determinants, disease prevention, and knowledge translation. This research project will help bring awareness towards local food in Huron County, including the diversity of local food and how to increase access to local food for all residents. Results of the study will lead to concrete and measurable solutions on how to close food accessibility gaps and will provide a template for other like-minded organizations in other regions.

Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) is focused on providing support for individuals facing barriers to housing stability, including those who have histories of persistent homelessness, mental health and addictions challenges. SHOW knows affordable housing for seniors is essential in our community and has purchased an apartment unit to secure 26 much-needed affordable housing units for seniors throughout Kitchener Waterloo. Libro’s contribution will be used to help fund essential upgrades to the building to ensure the health, safety, and accessibility for the tenants.

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For more information and for interviews, contact Mike Donachie, Communications Manager.
P: 519-672-0130 ext. 4344, C: 226-926-4068, mike.donachie@libro.ca 
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