Cook it launches the Star Donation Program
An initiative to support five causes that want the best for Quebec’s population
Montréal (QC) – September 22, 2020. After having provided support to workers of the restaurant and bar industry who have been severely impacted by the pandemic, Cook it is now broadening its commitment to the community by launching the Star Donation Program. It’s through its exclusive loyalty program that Canada’s first ready-to-cook company plans to support five partner causes in the fulfillment of their social mission: Anorexie et boulimie Québec (ANEB), Banques alimentaires du Québec, Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal, Fondation Olo et ALS Society of Quebec.
To continuously contribute to this fundraiser, Cook it will offer its thousands of customers the possibility to donate their loyalty points (stars) to the cause of their liking. For every 1,000-star donated, Cook it will donate 5$ to help partner causes finance the resources needed to continue providing a better future for all those in need.
Josée Champagne, director of Anorexie et boulimie Québec (ANEB), Fabienne Audette, director of la Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal, Claudine Cook, director of the ALS Society of Quebec, Émilie Russo, development and communications director of Fondation Olo, Julie Marchand, director of Banques alimentaires du Québec and Judith Fetzer, president and co-founder of Cook it.
Since its creation in 2014, Cook it has been committed to reducing food waste and the mental load associated with meal planning. Today, the company wants to do more.
“I started Cook it with the goal of changing people’s lives, says Judith Fetzer, president and co-founder. We’ve always aimed to have a positive and lasting impact on the everyday life of all Quebecers.” The pandemic has been a major driving force on multiple aspects. The exceptional nature of the current situation calls for a wave of solidarity to tackle the critical needs of the most vulnerable.
While the crisis is not over yet, the risk of a second wave is a significant source of concern. The demand is increasing while the manpower, revenues and supplies are decreasing. This is an unfortunate widespread observation made by all partner organizations. Through a collective effort, the Star Donation Program will not only provide them with an immediate support, but also ensure their continuation over time.
Moreover, the final selection of the Star Donation Program is no coincidence. “We have a special connection with these causes, says Judith. On a personal note, there’s a background of ALS in my family and on a professional note, we’re all on the same page in terms of our values and our harmonious vision of food that combines balance, sharing, family, discovery and pleasure.”
That being said, beyond the online fundraiser, Cook it also wants to give these causes a platform to shed some light on their reality and dismantle long-standing misconceptions. Starting in October, every month, the company will publish a video dedicated to each of the partner causes on social media to raise awareness and engage its customers.To learn more about the Star Donation Program, visit the Cook it website (and click “give your stars”) or watch the video below.
DID YOU KNOW THAT…
Anorexie et boulimie Québec (ANEB)
Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders.
Banques alimentaires du Québec
Every month, over half a million people in Quebec go hungry. A 1$ donation allows the Food Banks to provide them with three meals.
Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal
In Quebec, there are more DYP reports made than there are people born; 105,600 reports compared to 83,800 births. Every day in Quebec, 289 reports to the DYP are made. This number is the equivalent of six school buses.
Fondation Olo
In Quebec, the current crisis has been worsening the stress and food uncertainty for thousands of already vulnerable pregnant women, negatively affecting the health of developing babies. According to L’Observatoire des Tout-Petits, already in 2016, 1 out of 10 households with at least one child under the age of 6 was experiencing a situation of food insecurity in Quebec. The Fondation Olo allows 15,000 families every year to have an equal opportunity to bring into the world a healthy baby and establish healthy eating habits early on.
ALS Society of Quebec
ALS is a neuromuscular disease that progressively paralyzes the body and that usually leads to death within five years of diagnosis. There’s no cure to this disease and there are very few treatments available. ALS financially, emotionally and physically affects the entire family.
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About Anorexie et boulimie Québec (ANEB)
Anorexie et boulimie Québec (ANEB) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to guarantee an immediate and specialized help to people suffering from an eating disorder and their loved ones for free. In addition to offering specialized services for over 30 years, ANEB is involved in many areas to raise awareness about this mental health disorder. Through various educational services and the creation of new partnerships, the organization helps prevent and reduce the consequences related to eating disorders. | https://anebquebec.com/
About Banques alimentaires du Québec
The Banques alimentaires du Québec (BAQ) network has now been around for more than 30 years. With its 19 Moisson and 13 Associate members all around Quebec, 1,200 local organizations fulfill more than 1.9 million requests of food assistance per month. More important than ever, a part of BAQ’s mission is to negotiate and distribute the necessary resources to our members across Quebec to help them fulfill our primary mission: provide food assistance to people. | https://www.banquesalimentaires.org/
About Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal
The Fondation du Centre Jeunesse de Montréal gives DYP children and teenagers a voice and helps develop their empowerment. Thanks to the community and its partners’ support, it funds projects that contribute to these young people’s growth and ease their transition into adult life. It also plays an active role in making sure the needs of these vulnerable individuals are a priority in our society. | https://fondationcjm.ca/
About Fondation Olo
The Fondation Olo aims to give all families an equal opportunity to bring into the world healthy babies and establish healthy eating habits early on. It acts within the child’s first 100 days, a crucial period in their development. To ensure the baby is born healthy, it offers a personalized follow-up with the pregnant woman in need by providing prenatal multivitamins and coupons redeemable for food. To help the family develop healthy eating habits, it provides educational tools and professional advice to parents and workers to encourage three behaviours: eating healthy, cooking and eating as a family. Since 1991, it helped more than 250,000 babies be born healthier in Quebec. | https://fondationolo.ca/
About ALS Society of Quebec
The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society of Quebec is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the living conditions of people suffering from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and providing support to their family members. Our close collaboration with health care professionals allows us to offer a wide range of services and references that complement those offered by other organizations. All our services are offered to people suffering from ALS as well as their families. We also raise awareness among the general population and government authorities all while supporting the research to find a cure to this currently incurable disease. | https://sla-quebec.ca/