In conversation with Mississauga's Mohamad Fakih on the "Food for the LTC Frontline" initiative

What inspired Food for the LTC Frontline initiative?
Over 3700 of our loved ones have died in Ontario LTCs. Totally unimaginable a year ago, but sadly true today. 
I watched this tragedy unfold for months in disbelief while too little was being done to protect our seniors. 
As we grieve those we have lost, I know that we also owe much to all of the frontline workers who care for our seniors in long-term care homes despite the great risk to their own health. 
I grew up believing that how we care for our seniors says a lot about us and our community. 
And I want my own children to clearly see that treating our elders with the dignity and honour they deserve is a true test of our humanity. 
Right now, one of the ways we can do this best is to show our appreciation to the caregivers of our most elderly.  
I can’t stop thinking how alone these people feel. We have to show them that we feel their pain and struggles. 
That they are not ignored or invisible. So we offer them these meals of gratitude to thank them for the burden they have shouldered during the pandemic.

In the planning phase, what did you see as the key obstacle to executing this and how did you resolve it?
We wanted to make sure that this would be possible to carry out operationally and that the frontline workers at LTCs would be able to receive the meals – so we partnered with SEIU Healthcare at the start, and we have worked together on making the logistics work smoothly.

“I’m wired this way, and I know very well that the benefits of community building through giving back accrue not just to the people and places you help, but also to you as the helper. ”

In addition to money, what other donations and resources will help this initiative?
We have delivered over 6000 meals to LTCs across the GTA so far. 
That’s quite a lot of driving, so we are always looking for volunteer drivers as we expand outwards. 
We also hope that folks will promote the campaign on their social media channels so people go to the website LTCFrontlineFood.com not just to make a donation, but also to see why we need to recognize everything the LTC frontline workers have done on our behalf.

How will you push towards your goal of 30,000 meals over the next two months and what can the community do to help?
The more donations we get, the more meals we can cook and deliver. 
It costs only $8.50 per meal so we hope that people will consider helping out and showing their gratitude.

What's your message of thankfulness and motivation for the SEIU Healthcare members as they are on the frontline?
We owe you so much. You have sacrificed a lot over the last year caring for our seniors. We appreciate it. 
Thank you for shouldering the burden so bravely. 
You are true heroes. 

If there's yet another surge in cases through late spring and into summer, will this initiative continue?
Our hope is that the residents and caregivers in LTCs will all be vaccinated very soon. So if there is a third wave, it shouldn’t be felt yet again in long term care homes.

You've earned a reputation for being a community leader through your consistent philanthropy - what keeps you continually motivated?
I’m wired this way, and I know very well that the benefits of community building through giving back accrue not just to the people and places you help, but also to you as the helper. 
I am fortunate to be able to do some of these things, and every time I do, I am reminded over and over  again how much value it brings to me, my company and our people, as well as those we hope to assist.