Press Release December 16, 2024
VANCOUVER, BC, December 11, 2024 – Ventum Financial Corp. (“Ventum”) is pleased to announce an extension of its partnership with Backpack Buddies, a charity dedicated to addressing food insecurity for children in British Columbia, pledging an additional $40,000 over two years. This builds on its previous three-year $60,000 commitment, the final installment of which was completed during a cheque presentation ceremony last week at Backpack Buddies’ headquarters.
With this renewed commitment, Ventum will contribute a total of $100,000 over five years to this important cause that distributes food each Friday to over 6,100 kids across 73 communities at a time when Canadians are facing increasing levels of food insecurity. Backpack Buddies was recently recognized as one of Charity Intelligence Canada’s 2024 Top 100 Rated Charities.
“As someone who has recently joined Ventum and is a board member of Backpack Buddies, I’ve seen firsthand the meaningful impact of Ventum’s contributions,” said Richard Butterworth, Chief Operations Officer and Financial Officer, Ventum. “These donations provide vital support to the thousands of children who rely on the Backpack Buddies Program for their food intake. Ventum is proud to continue this important partnership and support this invaluable work that contributes to a better future in the communities where we live and work.”
The increasing costs of rent, household expenses and childcare have deepened the affordability crisis for families, with one in eight now experiencing food insecurity. For many, school relief programs provide essential relief during the week, but weekends often bring heightened anxiety as parents struggle to put food on the table.
Backpack Buddies helps to bridge this gap by ensuring thousands of children no longer need to wonder where their next meal will come from. In 2023-24, every $20 donated provided a child with a weekend bag of food, meaning Ventum’s $100,000 donation will provide approximately 5,000 bags of food to help even more children in need.
“We are incredibly grateful for Ventum’s continued support and generosity,” said Joanne Griffiths, Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships of Backpack Buddies. “This renewed commitment through 2026 will help us as we look to expand our reach and continue delivering critical support to the families who rely on us.”
Ventum allocates funds to charities through its foundation, Ventum Foundation, which is dedicated to making a tangible impact through focused philanthropy. A cornerstone of this commitment is the Annual Impact Day, where employees nominate charities and vote to choose the recipient of Impact Day fundraising. Ventum’s next Annual Impact Day will take place on October 2, 2025.
About Ventum Financial Corp.
Ventum Financial Corp. is headquartered in Toronto, ON with key operational functions in Vancouver, BC, and is a leading independent investment advisory and capital markets firm with over 400 employees and 13 offices across Canada. With a steadfast commitment to integrity and client service, Ventum provides a wide array of financial services to individual, institutional, and corporate clients through our team of experienced professionals.
About Backpack Buddies
Backpack Buddies is a BC-based charitable organization addressing the weekend hunger gap for children in need. With a network of schools and community partners, the organization provides bags of food to over 6,100 children weekly through a growing network of 360 schools and distribution partners, ensuring they have access to reliable and nutritious meals outside of school hours.
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