Sofina Foods Inc. and the Sofina Foundation received the award for Community Relations & Cultural Enrichment during the Markham Board of Trade's Business Excellence Award gala on November 28, 2019. This award recognizes a company that has made an exceptional contribution to community building and to enriching Markham's cultural vibrancy and livability.
"It is such an honour to be recognized by our business community," said Umeeda Madhany, President, The Sofina Foundation. "It is thanks to the generous support of our employees, friends and loyal suppliers of Sofina Foods Inc. that we are able to bring a moment of joy into the lives of children and their families facing difficult challenges."
The Sofina Foundation was established in 2007 to support Sofina's commitment to families, with a focus on supporting causes related to children while positively impacting the communities in which Sofina operates. Since its inception, the Foundation has been able to grant more than $6 million nationally through two signature events, the Dream Builders' Campaign and the Sofina & Amici Golf Classic.
The Dream Builders' Campaign is a national initiative where employees throughout the company organize and take part in various events to raise money in support of children's causes. Each and every dollar raised is then matched by Sofina Foods Inc., doubling its impact. Over the span of five years, the funds raised have granted 40 children's wishes, sent over 240 medically fragile children to Disney and helped the Foundation's charity partners raise over $2 million.
Through the Sofina & Amici Golf Classic, the Foundation has granted over $5 million to support the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, the Ronald McDonald House in Toronto and the Ronald McDonald House in Edmonton.
"We are committed to the relentless evolution of the Sofina Foundation and continuously seek to expand our impact," added Madhany.
Beyond events and campaigns, throughout the year, the Foundation provides product donations, sponsorship and third party partnership support to many community organizations. Recent recipients include the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Grocery Foundation, Second Harvest, Friends of We Care and the Canuck Place Hospice.
