Community ServicesCommunity Service, in conjunction with Education Assistance and Citizenship Programs, is one of the three primary areas of support to our communities. Members in their primary chapters provide assistance to those in need within their communities and beyond. Provincial chapters work within their own provinces and in northern communities. Nationally, the members support programs for those most vulnerable in the northern populations. These programs are administered by the National Services Officer.
Primary chapters make unique, valuable contributions in their communities helping in not only, recognizable ways such as donations of equipment or support to special services in hospitals and other public institutions, also by helping individuals and families with basic needs as required. Supports for individuals range, from taking lunch to shuts ins and staying to visit, to putting on lunch and some programming for groups of isolated people. Chapter members also provide food both to individuals and to school/daycares for breakfast and lunch programs. Clothing, cosmetics, toiletries, sanitary products and all manner of household supplies, furniture and bedding are given to those in need. Shelters, group homes, special care homes, nursing homes and individuals benefit. Facilities appreciate chapter contributions of equipment, supplies, food, clothing, comfort items, furnishings and personal visits or messages from IODE members. Support for social programming, sports supplies, camperships, medical supplies, travel subsidies are just a few other areas that have seen much needed assistance. Provincial chapters provide similar support to provincial institutions and northern communities. The National Services Fund is supported by chapters and from individual donations. This fund helps provincial chapters with shipping costs when they serve communities outside their provincial boundaries and responds to requests from those in need from communities without IODE chapters. Annually, IODE chapters provide more than 1.5 million dollars of service. Please consider contributing to the National Services by contacting IODE Canada to make a difference in the lives of those in need. |
IODE Labrador Snack Pack Program
IODE knows that children concentrate better in school when they are not hungry. Research shows that students have trouble learning when they are hungry at school. They are better able to focus and learn if they eat nutritious meals and snacks.
The goal of our Snack Pack program is to support learning and healthy development. IODE started breakfast programs in Labrador in 1978. School children in Davis Inlet and Northwest River received a daily nutritious mid-morning snack, including milk, to supplement their scanty diet. Today over 2,500 students in 16 schools participate in the IODE Snack Pack program. The grocery bill is almost $40,000. Items now being shipped include milk, juice, crackers, peanut butter, cheese spread and, for some schools, cereal. Each donation of approximately $25 will feed a child during the school year. Most of the schools are located in very small or very remote communities with not very good water supplies and no grocery stores. Food and other supplies for the year are delivered by coastal ferry during the summer months. IODE Canada is proud of this service program funded by primary chapters across Canada and individual donors. IODE Snack Pack is successful thanks to the enthusiastic co-operation of teachers and parents who prepare and serve the daily snack. One teacher wrote, "This program is of great value. With stomachs that no longer ache with hunger, children are much better able to learn and, therefore, develop skills that hopefully will help to improve their lot in this world." Make a contribution to support IODE Snack Pack through the IODE Snack Pack Fundraiser campaign now. When you purchase online Gift Cards through our campaign, you will receive the full face value of your purchase and IODE Snack Pack will earn cash back on every purchase you make all year long. IODE Canadian Disaster Fund
This Fund is supported by IODE chapters and private donations to provide relief to disaster victims. Since 1997 IODE Canada has allocate funds to those who have sustained heavy losses for essential items or other necessities of life. more … Assistance for Remote Communities
The National Services fund that is sustained by donations from primary chapters across Canada and individual donors. This fund covers the cost of National and Provincial shipments to Northern Canada and Labrador, equipment and supplies for schools and community halls in Northern Canada and, if possible, any special requests from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Assistance for Local Communities
Across Canada crisis centers, hospitals, nursing homes, food banks and a growing number of others rely on IODE.
We have supplied many necessities such as food, toys, baby layettes, children’s hats, mittens and scarves, personal care bags, linens, wheelchairs, afghans, magazines and slippers to those in need. Many Canadian hospitals were started by IODE and today, we continue to support them through donations of equipment and furnishings. Young people and children are supported so they can attend community or specialty camps. Children and adults with special medical, dental or vision have receive aid from IODE Chapters. IODE Food for Thought
Food for Thought boxes, breakfast, snack and milk programs in schools are well supported by chapters across Canada. IODE recognizes that children need to be well nourished in order to concentrate on their studies in school. An IODE Food for Thought box is filled with crackers, juice, raisins, granola bars, cereals and soup, allowing teachers to support children in their classrooms with a nourishing breakfast or lunch. |