GUELPH - The Co-operators announced that 93 charitable organizations across Canada will benefit from a total of $237,000 as part of this year's Directed Donations program. Through the program, staff members, directors and delegates choose charitable causes to support with corporate funds.

Each staff member had an opportunity to direct $75 of corporate money toward the organization of their choice from among a list of charitable organizations suggested by employees. In all, 2,961 staff directed a total of $222,075 to 81 organizations, which represented 82 per cent of all Co-operators employees. Members of the board of directors and delegates of member-owners also participated in the program, investing a further $15,375 in 93 charities across the country.

"The Directed Donations program engages our staff directly in the donations process by enabling them to invest corporate money in very worthy local organizations," said Bardswick. "By choosing to take the time first to suggest an organization to support, and then actually make that donation, nearly 3,000 of our staff are supporting organizations they believe in, which offer life-altering programs and services."

According to Food Banks Canada, the number of Canadians seeking food from food banks has risen by about 20 per cent each month. To help meet this growing demand, 13 food banks across Canada received more than $16,000 in donations directed by Co-operators staff, directors and member-delegates.

The five largest staff-directed donations went to:

- The Toronto Hospital for Sick Children ($23,775)
- the Canadian Cancer Society, Regina branch, ($13,725)
- The Alberta Children's Hospital Foundation, Calgary, ($8,775)
- Sofia House - Women's and Children's Shelter, Regina, ($8,025)
- The Canadian Cancer Society, Guelph branch, ($7,800)

The funding was provided from The Co-operators Foundation, through which the organization supports social economy enterprises and other worthy causes in Canada.