Nazem Kadri Foundation donates $50,000 to London Food Bank

Nazem Kadri has donated $50,000 to the London Food Bank. CTV London’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

The London Food Bank got an injection of star power Wednesday when the Nazem Kadri Foundation handed over a cheque for $50,000 to help London families in need through the holiday season.

It’s an act of kindness that will go a long way, said food bank co-executive director, Jane Roy.

“We can do a lot with one can of tuna. We can do a lot with 50,000 cans of tuna. So, $50,000 is absolutely amazing,” she stated, excitedly.

Kadri, the London born NHL player, started the foundation with family members about 13 years ago as a way of giving back to the community he came from. He told CTV News; he wants to recognize others who do positive work in the community.

“You always are proud of where you’re from. The sidenote, as well with the food bank, I mean it’s all volunteer based. So, we have some great people that are trying to contribute, trying to do what they can to help out the community, not just myself. And we figured we’d hop on board. And this is a great way to help,” Kadri said.

The foundation holds a number of events each year to raise money for worthy causes, said foundation member Mo Haidar, who was on hand for the cheque presentation.

“And every year we pick two, three, four organizations that we feel as a committee are in need, and we feel can use those funds to help our community. So, this is kind of the benefit, to hand out those cheques and be able to help people,” he said.

Roy said the donation comes at a time of unprecedented need. In the month of October, the food bank helped 6,125 households – a single month record for the organization.

“It’s food inflation, it’s costs, it’s the fact that people aren’t finding work. Some people are losing jobs. It’s all of it. Like everything seems to be going up. And I think it just gets tougher and tougher and tougher,” she explained.