Thunder Bay, ON — A wildfire support investment program started days ago by two Thunder Bay, Ont., organizations has already raised $25,000.
The United Way of Thunder Bay and Thunder Bay Citizens Foundation initiated the Northwestern Ontario Wildfire Local residents Support Investment program on Friday. The grant will support those affected by the wildfires burning across northwestern Ontario. On Monday, the two organizations proclaimed the budgetary support had reached its initial fundraising goal of $25,000, and the goal has now been doubled to $50,000.
"We shared it through our United Way network," Albert Brule, CEO of the United Way of Thunder Bay, indicated of the fund's Friday launch. "We posted on Facebook, and oh my goodness, within less than a day, we had received donations from all across the country, certainly from throughout our region and our the region, but even from all parts of the United States and as far away as New South Wales, Australia." "People want to help, and so if we're in a position to support that and assist with that, obviously that's something that we felt we could do, and complement some of the other efforts that are underway," Brule continued. "I just think the need will be so great that you can't have too many offers of assistance and ways that people can look for support." The financial allocation will support immediate needs of wildfire evacuees — such as helping organizations, local residents groups, services providers, and front-line organizations acquisition clothes or food — as well as long-term projects around rebuilding and recovery from the wildfires, Brule explained. 'It's moving quickly': Ford provides update on northern Ontario wildfires, evacuations "Our big push right now is to try and build the budgetary support up to a point where when we do sit down and meet and hear about some of the needs, obviously we hope we'll be able to contribute in a meaningful way," Brule remarked.
"But much of this is being co-ordinated somewhat independently, so many communities are dealing with their own evacuations themselves." Though several organizations in the urban centre that provide food, such as the Dew Fall Inn, have not seen a spike in demand, the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) has seen an uptick.
"But at the same time, we are encouraging individuals to think about the longer-term and some of the recovery needs that will emerge." "For that, there will be probably a more formal application process where we'll open it up for a given time frame where local residents organizations can apply for support." Meanwhile, though Thunder Bay's Crisis Food Plan has not yet been officially activated, the Food Action Network of Northwestern Ontario — which is one of the plan's stewarding organizations — is working to ensure the city's food system is prepared for wildfire evacuees. "We have been asked to do ongoing monitoring of food system thresholds in the Lakehead, so communicating with all the partners to see what the needs are," advised the network's executive director, Sarah Siska. "We've been delegated to manage all large-scale food donation requests that are coming into the Lakehead, so anyone who's reaching out to the Lakehead about getting food somewhere, they come through us." "We know for a fact that there are a lot of folks who are in need of food in our municipality on a day-to-day basis, as well as folks who have been displaced or evacuated as a result of these wildfires," she continued. "But much of this is being co-ordinated somewhat independently, so many communities are dealing with their own evacuations themselves." Though several organizations in the urban centre that provide food, such as the Dew Fall Inn, have not seen a spike in demand, the Regional Food Distribution Association (RFDA) has seen an uptick. "Many of the communities [that] have been evacuated are doing communal meals together, or have. been receiving donations for their the area members," Siska indicated. "Others [such as] the evacuation centre at Fort William Gardens, those would be provincially-funded meals that are coming through there." Leaders of First Nations hit by Ontario wildfires speak out about way climate crises are handled The network has been sharing information about where people can find affordable or free foodusing the online Where To Find Food in Thunder Bay brochure. The Urban centre of Thunder Bay shared donation sites for clothing have reached capacity. However, it encourages those interested in volunteering to contact 211 or register with Ontario Corps. Kris Ketonen is a reporter with CBC Thunder Bay. Send story ideas to kris.ketonen@cbc.ca. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered onCBC Gem..
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📍 Source: CBC News Thunder Bay · By: CBC News Staff · 🗓️ July 22, 2026 · 🏠 ThunderBay.Online
