Provincial OTF Grant Plus Local Donations Given in Support of OSHaRE’s New Food Depot
June 1, 2026
OSHaRE Continues to Make a Positive Impact in the Community
Owen Sound – On Saturday, MPP Paul Vickers joined representatives from Gay Lea Foundation, Bruce Power’s Supplier Partners, Barry’s Construction and the County of Grey to cut the ribbon on the new OSHaRE Food Depot. This project is in response to rising numbers of individuals and families requesting food support from local food banks, pantries and meal programs. The new food depot will allow OSHaRE to access and store more free food to support the incredible work of their partner agencies and expand local food rescue/donation efforts. At the event, MPP Vickers formally congratulated OSHaRE on receiving a three-year $288,600 Grow grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation earlier this year.
“OSHaRE’s work in providing low barrier access to food for those most in need is a shining example of community service in our riding, I’m proud that the Ontario Trillium Foundation was able to step up and support this critical work,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Paul Vickers.
The depot’s operation will be assisted through community support as well as through the OTF grant. This granting stream, designed to help non-profit groups expand programs, is helping with some key costs ranging from adding a new staff position, to trucking, rental space and construction costs as well. The 2700 sq ft. depot will increase OSHaRE’s capacity to accept skids of fresh, frozen and non-perishable foods. This food will be shared through the Grey Bruce Food Share program (a collaboration between the Salvation Army and OSHaRE) with partner agencies to use in their programs throughout Grey and Bruce Counties.
“Bruce Power’s Suppliers are proud to support this important program with a $50,000 donation,” said Maggie Tieman, Bruce Power’s Director of Community and External Affairs. “Food insecurity is an on-going challenge regionally, and we’re thankful for the generosity of Bruce Power’s Suppliers and the dedication of OSHaRE to helping local people access fresh and healthy food.”
The depot has a 480 sq ft refrigerator purchased through a grant of $53,235 from the J.P. Bickell Foundation administered by Scotia Wealth Management and a 480 sq ft freezer to allow for proper food storage. Equipped with skid-sized doors, the refrigerator and freezer provide an opportunity for OSHaRE to work with Second Harvest as well as local producers to bring pallets of food to support area charities/non-profits. As a vital new food resource in the community, the depot has been outfitted with a generator to ensure that food continues to be stored at appropriate temperatures in the event of a power outage.
“Gay Lea Foods and the Gay Lea Foundation strongly believe everyone deserves access to fresh, nutritious food. We are proud to support OSHaRE’s new Food Depot with a $50,000 investment” said Jennifer Bryson, Gay Lea Foods delegate and vice chair of the Gay Lea Foundation. “Grey-Bruce is a vital farming region for our co-operative and home to communities we care deeply about. This project strengthens local food systems by connecting surplus food from producers to families who need it most. It’s a powerful example of how collaboration can reduce food waste while helping ensure no one in our communities goes hungry.”
Last year, 405,150 lbs of food was rescued locally though OSHaRE’s Grey Bruce Food Share program. With the support of Second Harvest (Etobicoke), they are hoping to bring 10 skids of food in weekly to be distributed to over 30 charity/nonprofit partners across Grey Bruce. This food is vital to programs like OSHaRE’s community meal, school lunch and Family Assistance Meal program which served over 327,000 meals in 2025 and is currently seeing a 30 per cent increase in 2026.
“OSHaRE’s compassion and leadership are making a real difference in the lives of people across Grey and Bruce Counties. I am deeply grateful for the incredible work the OSHaRE team does every day to fight hunger and ensure our neighbours have access to healthy meals. On behalf of Grey County, I also want to thank the Province for its support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, as well as the many local businesses and private donors whose generosity helps make this vital work possible,” said Andrea Matrosovs, Warden, Grey County.
OSHaRE is a grassroots staff-led, volunteer driven, collaborative, community-funded charity located in Owen Sound.OSHaRE’s motto since inception has been, “what we have, we will share”, including sharing meals and school lunches with individuals and families and collaborating and sharing food rescue with other agencies across Grey Bruce.
“The new OSHaRE Depot would not have been possible without the incredible support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Bruce Power’s Supplier Partners, the Gay Lea Foundation, the J.P. Bickell Foundation, the County of Grey and Barry’s Construction. Their generosity in funding essential equipment and infrastructure is strengthening our ability to rescue food, reduce waste, and nourish our community for years to come” said Colleen Trask Seaman, Executive Director of OSHaRE. “The support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the next three years for a portion of the operating expenses provides vital stability and sustainability for this program expansion, helping ensure we can continue supporting individuals and families across our community.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025/26, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Bruce Power’s Supplier Partners Information: Bruce Power is an electricity company based in Bruce County, Saugeen Ojibway Nation Territory, Ontario. We are powered by our people. Our 4,200 employees are the foundation of our accomplishments and are proud of the role they play in safely delivering clean, reliable nuclear power to families and businesses across the province and cancer-fighting medical isotopes around the world. Bruce Power has worked hard to build strong roots in Ontario and is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which we live. Formed in 2001, Bruce Power is a Canadian-owned partnership of TC Energy, OMERS, the Power Workers’ Union and The Society of United Professionals. Learn more at www.brucepower.com and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. For more information contact: Bruce Power Duty Media Officer – 519-361-6161 – BNPDDutyMedia@brucepower.com
Gay Lea Foundation Information: Founded in 2014 and funded by Gay Lea Foods Co‑operative Ltd. and its members, the Gay Lea Foundation supports community well-being and agricultural initiatives through its Community Impact Grants program. The Foundation has awarded over $3 million in grants to fund projects that build community capabilities and address key needs in education, health, poverty relief, and sustainable agriculture, creating lasting, positive change in communities locally and globally. For more information, please visit gaylea.com/foundation.
Media Contact: Colleen Trask Seaman, Executive Director, OSHaRE – info@oshare.ca (519)376-3899