Latest News

129 food banks across Canada receive $260,000 from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund

December 13, 2024
Six people stand beside each other indoors in a hall decorated for the holidays, facing the camera. One person's sweatshirt says "Community care"; another's has a USW logo on the shirt.

TORONTO – The Steelworkers Humanity Fund is contributing $260,000 to 129 food banks and community organizations across Canada in 2024.

Many Canadians, especially those in marginalized and low-income groups, are struggling with high living costs, from housing to food staples. As a result, more people are turning to food banks across the country to help meet their basic needs.

“The growing demand for food banks in Canada shows the tough financial challenges many families are facing,” said Marty Warren, President of the Steelworkers Humanity Fund. “This is a clear sign that we need to take action to address poverty at its core and strengthen support systems for those who need it most.”

Warren stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of poverty. “We need bold policies to reduce inequality and provide better living and working conditions for all Canadians, including good union jobs,” he added. “While we work towards this goal, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund will continue supporting food banks and community organizations to help those in need, bumping up our contribution from last year in response to the increasing demand.”

Founded in 1985, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund is a registered charitable organization that focuses primarily on development projects and emergency aid in developing countries but also supports Canadian communities. USW members contribute to the fund through clauses negotiated into collective agreements. In some cases, employers make matching contributions to the fund.

View the list of food banks receiving contributions in 2024 from the Steelworkers Humanity Fund here.

Join our newsletter

Media Contact

Marty Warren, President, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5951
Guillaume Charbonneau, Executive Director, Steelworkers Humanity Fund, 416-544-5944, gcharbonneau@usw.ca
Shannon Devine, USW Communications, 416-938-4402, sdevine@usw.ca

Recent news

Image for The United Steelworkers union demands Canadian materials for high-speed rail project amid U.S. tariff threats

The United Steelworkers union demands Canadian materials for high-speed rail project amid U.S. tariff threats

February 19, 2025 | Media Releases

OTTAWA – The United Steelworkers union (USW) is urging the Government of Canada to prioritize Canadian-made materials in the construction of the newly announced high-speed rail network connecting Toronto and Quebec City. While the project is presented as a transformative infrastructure investment with potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and environmental progress, USW leaders […]

Read More
Click to read the article about The United Steelworkers union demands Canadian materials for high-speed rail project amid U.S. tariff threats
Featured image for Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel

February 18, 2025 | Media Releases

HAMILTON – With job losses already a reality, United Steelworkers union (USW) representatives met today in Hamilton to underscore the urgency of a national program to protect Canadian workers from the Trump administration’s threats of devastating, unprecedented tariffs. USW members from five manufacturing and steel plants in Hamilton and the nearby community of Nanticoke held […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers union supports NDP plan for massive public infrastructure program using Canadian steel
A photo of group of people taking a photo in a park wearing winter clothes while smiling to the camera.

Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024

February 14, 2025 | Publications

Temporary foreign workers, permanent exploitation Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) in Canada are trapped in an unjust labour system that favours employers and erodes workers’ access to proper wages and occupational safety because of their immigration status. Under a “closed” work permit, their contract binds them to one employer, a situation that makes them at risk […]

Read More
Click to read the article about Steelworkers Humanity Fund update – December 2024