Skip to content

Free grocery gift cards offered to area seniors

The gift cards will be available to seniors in the Elliot Lake, Blind River, Spanish, and Township of the North Shore area who meet eligibility criteria
groceries-vegetables-paper-bag-stock
Stock image

Recognizing some of the difficulties seniors are facing because of COVID-19 restrictions, DiversityCanada is offering people in Elliot Lake and area who are 55 or older a chance to get free grocery gift cards.

Seniors have until Oct. 31 to apply for the program, which is funded by the federal government.

"The DiversityCanada Foundation is a not-for-profit established in Elliot Lake in 2004. Since inception, DiversityCanada has been running projects to combat ageism and to provide opportunities to help seniors remain active and fully involved in the community," said Celia Sankar, executive director of the DiversityCanada Foundation.

"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, DiversityCanada has organized a project (under the Government of Canada's COVID-19 Emergency Community Support Fund) to provide grocery store gift cards to approximately 200 seniors," Sankar added.

"Additionally, DiversityCanada is creating an online platform to help seniors stay in touch with their peers and community support groups, and to remain informed about COVID-19 and other health and wellness issues."

Sankar also said that the gift cards will be worth "at least $200."

"They are available to residents of Elliot Lake, Blind River, Spanish, or the Township of the North Shore who are 55 years or older, and who meet certain eligibility criteria," Sankar also said.

Seniors don't have to do anything to receive the gift card other than to apply and meet the eligibility criteria.

They will have to provide ID and proof of meeting the eligibility criteria. Distribution of the gift cards is to be completed before Nov. 30, 2020.

Seniors can apply for the cards by filling out a paper form at Lyle's No Frills in Elliot Lake or Hutton's Valu-mart in Blind River and dropping it in the boxes provided at those stores.

Seniors can also apply online or call 705-827-1001 and leave a message with their name and phone number.



Comments


About the Author: Brent Sleightholm

As a reporter, Brent has covered everything from amateur and professional sports, to politics, entertainment, police and courts, to human interest stories and government issues
Read more