Hello, Grey Bruce Community,
It is with great remorse that we are making this announcement, however, we find ourselves with no other option but to temporarily pause our Basic Needs Support Program and are taking no applications as of May 8, 2025.
This CRUCIAL decision is to allow our administrative team the necessary time to address and rectify issues of misuse and mistreatment of our programs and our team members.
Over the past few months, we have encountered instances where individuals have submitted false information. We aren’t sure why there has been an increase in these submissions, but we can only assume that the increasing state of food insecurity is sadly pushing folks to desperate decisions.
Additionally, we have faced several uncomfortable, troubling interactions with clients, both within and outside the organization. Incidents have included threats, vulgar language, and bullying. As a result, we have had to withdraw eligibility from those who engage in these abusive actions. We are exhausted. Never before have we felt this, but we are truly exhausted. Our team is composed of dedicated volunteers who invest significant time into supporting our clients. We do this out of care and commitment, with ONLY the expectation of honesty and appreciation in return.
Please know that we remain committed to revitalizing our program and ensuring its integrity. We will be redesigning our general application to implement immediate changes and improve our processes. We will implement firm policies that eliminate abuse towards our team by clients inside or outside of CAN. Our team’s safety is of upmost importance. We owe it to our donors to ensure their generosity is respected and not taken advantage of, and we are committed to ensuring that the support honest clients deserve is not compromised by the actions of a few.
We value your input and would appreciate any feedback you might have on refining our screening process. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have suggestions or ideas. Questions and concerns are also welcomed.
Thank you all for your understanding and patience during this time. We are determined to resume our operations soon, stronger and better equipped to serve our community.
Warm regards,
The Grey Bruce CAN Administrative Team
