Family of Support Initiative Surpasses 150,000 Youth Mental Health Assessments and Treatments Across Canada, Launches Fifth Annual Fundraising Campaign

The Sobey Foundation and Empire Company Limited, in partnership with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and fueled by the generosity of Canadians, is channeling millions into critical child and youth mental health programs nationwide.

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2024 – From September 19 to October 6, The Sobey Foundation and Empire Company Limited (Empire), in partnership with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (“CCHF”), continue their nationwide support for communities in Canada with the fifth annual fundraising campaign for the Family of Support: Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative (“Family of Support”). This initiative continues to make a significant impact on children and youth across Canada by providing access to much-needed early mental health support.

In the first four years, the partnership has helped CCHF’s 13 children’s hospitals cumulatively add 54 treatment spaces, train nearly 13,000 mental health professionals and community care providers and treat and assess more than 150,000 children and youth.

With anxiety and depression being the leading mental health challenges for Canadian youth and children, experts emphasize early support as a critical component in treating youth in crisis. Through funding from the Family of Support initiative, participating children’s hospitals across Canada are helping to ensure that more kids have timely access to essential mental health resources early.

“Family of Support has driven true change and incredible progress, significantly impacting how we can support the growing issue of child and youth mental health. The differences can be seen at our member hospitals and in the day-to-day lives of the children and their families,” said Adam Starkman, President, and CEO of Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations. “While these strides are significant, the need continues to grow. With an estimated 1.6 million young people in Canada suffering from a mental health disorder in the last year, early support and community involvement continue to be an urgent focus.”

Assessments are the vital first step for hospitals in identifying and treating mental health concerns and expanding capacity ensures these issues are addressed promptly. In addition, expanding treatment spaces helps move patients through the system faster, allowing hospitals to build capacity and provide essential training. The partnership between CCHF, The Sobey Foundation and Empire has already surpassed its initial five-year targets for assessments and treatment spaces. This partnership is on track to support even more children and youth with early access to crucial mental health support.

Funds raised from Family of Support are being used to develop new, impactful programs and fund innovative research and education initiatives at member hospitals. Examples include integrated research programs at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba and IWK Health’s The Learning Link, which delivers training and resources across the Maritimes, supporting mental health and addiction.

The fifth annual Family of Support campaign will run from September 19 to October 6. Canadians who generously choose to contribute to this worthwhile campaign, can do so at the check-stand of their local Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, FreshCo, Chalo! FreshCo, Foodland, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, Foodland & participating CO-OPs, Lawtons Drugs, Needs, Pete’s Frootique & Fine Foods, Rachelle Béry, BoniSoir, and Voisin outlets. The campaign will run from September 19 to October 6 in all provinces except for Quebec, where the campaign began on September 5 and will continue until September 25. In addition, Canadians can double their impact by donating at their local store or online on September 28 and 29, when Empire will match customer donations by up to $210,000. All funds raised locally will remain within the community, directly supporting early access and prevention programs at local children’s hospitals. This year’s campaign will feature young patients from children’s hospitals across the country, with inspiring content coming to life on TikTok and in TV spots.

“We’re committed to helping families across Canada get the mental health support that they need at their local children’s hospital,” said Sandra Sanderson, Chief Marketing Officer, Empire Company Limited. “This wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our store teams and our customers. We remain inspired by the many dedicated individuals who work at the children’s hospitals and the critical role they play in supporting more kids and families earlier in their mental health journeys.”

For more information, including the full Family of Support Impact Report and stories from children and families who have directly benefited from the initiative, visit familyofsupport.com.

About Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations

Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations (CCHF), established in 2017, is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds for a national network of children’s hospital foundations as the largest single, non-government funder of child health in Canada. CCHF continues to receive generous support through donors within Children’s Miracle Network® as well as contributions from additional organizations and supporters. CCHF represents 13 of Canada’s children’s hospital foundations to ensure that all children have access to the very best care from coast to coast to coast.

About The Sobey Foundation

The Sobey Foundation was founded in 1982 by Frank H. Sobey and his three sons, Bill, David and Donald. The Foundation’s giving is rooted in the Sobey family’s continued commitment to improving the lives of individuals through investments in health, education and community. Although it works with organizations across Canada, the Sobey Foundation primarily supports organizations whose activities make a difference in Atlantic Canada.

About Empire Company Limited

Empire Company Limited (TSX: EMP.A) is a Canadian company headquartered in Stellarton, Nova Scotia. Empire’s key businesses are food retailing, through wholly-owned subsidiary Sobeys Inc., and related real estate. With approximately $31.5 billion in annual sales and $16.9 billion in assets, Empire and its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates employ approximately 128,000 people

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Karen White-Boswell, Director, External Communications, Empire Company Limited,
karen.white-boswell@sobeys.com, 416-779-2319

Melissa Greer, Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundation, Director, Marketing & Communications, mgreer@childrenshospital.ca, 647-992-2347