For frontline workers at UHN, the Staff Meal Voucher fund has been helping to provide that much-needed support, thanks to Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation (TGWHF) and the generosity of donors.
The Staff Meal Voucher fund provides staff at UHN with a $15 food voucher to spend at on-site food-service vendors. All staff working on sites with food vendors are eligible to receive the voucher.
This program was quickly developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. TGWHF and its donors wanted to ensure the health and wellbeing of frontline workers, while also showing gratitude and appreciation for their life-saving work.
In addition, food-service vendors located throughout UHN sites are an essential component of the hospitals’ daily activity. With necessary new policies limiting visitors and reducing foot traffic due to COVID-19, these vendors have been negatively affected, with some closing their doors for good. The fund has enabled vendors to stay open, serving and supporting frontline workers.
The initiative has been extremely well received by both UHN staff and vendors, promoting a boost of morale during these challenging times, right when it is needed most.
Recipients of the vouchers have praised the initiative, thanking all donors – no matter the amount – for their generosity. One anonymous staff member provided the following message of gratitude:
“It is a wonderful and proud feeling to know the work we do to support the frontline medical professionals is appreciated as we are all an important part of Team UHN. Thank you for your generosity in showing all of us your appreciation. It really makes us feel important!”
To date, 11,500 food vouchers have been provided to UHN frontline workers. A second round of vouchers will be issued this week with the goal of distributing a third round of vouchers in the near future.
The Staff Meal Voucher fund was made possible through the support of TGWHF and donors. TGWHF hopes to continue raising funds to support frontline workers and vendors at UHN for the duration of the pandemic. Donate to the Staff Meal Voucher fund here.