Spring Has Sprung, and So Has The Essentials Fund 2025 Campaign!

A special message from Allyson Kroetsch, a proud Essentials Fund committee member

Good news, Waterloo Region! Today marks the first day of Spring 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited to announce the launch of The Essentials Fund’s fourth annual awareness and fundraising campaign!

As someone who has witnessed firsthand the incredible impact this initiative has had on our community, I’m excited about what we can accomplish together this year. Since our launch in 2022, we’ve provided over $130,000 to 29 local community organizations throughout Waterloo Region. That’s thousands of lives touched through essential items like toiletries, transportation, seasonal clothing, menstrual products, and baby supplies!

Why This Matters More Than Ever

With today’s economic challenges affecting everyone, our non-profit partners are facing a double squeeze of skyrocketing costs and reduced funding opportunities. Yet their work remains absolutely critical!

What makes The Essentials Fund special is our commitment to providing unrestricted grants. This flexibility allows organizations to respond directly to their clients’ most pressing needs without bureaucratic hurdles.

Meet the Passionate Team Behind It All

I’m proud to work alongside our dedicated volunteer committee that includes Jane Arnold, Holly Manning, Eleanor McGrath, Claire Anderson, Rose Greensides, Mike Pereira, and Tom Galloway. Together, we’re not just raising funds—we’re advocating for systemic change!

In fact, last year our advocacy efforts led to a breakthrough: Waterloo Regional government will be launching a pilot program in 2025-26 to provide further discounted Grand River Transit fares for non-profit organizations to support their clients’ transportation needs. This is just the beginning of expanded support we hope to see!

How You Can Join Our Movement

The success of The Essentials Fund truly depends on the generosity of compassionate community members like you. Your support over the past three years has been nothing short of incredible, and we’re counting on that same spirit of kindness this year.

Want to get involved? Visit our website at www.essentialsfundwr.ca or reach out directly to Jane and Allyson at essentialsfundWR@gmail.com.

The fundraising campaign kicks off today, and following its completion, grants will be disbursed to eligible Waterloo Region non-profit organizations. Mark your calendars: the application process opens on May 1, 2025!

Let’s make this our most impactful campaign yet. Together, we can ensure that essential needs are met for our most vulnerable neighbors. Spring is a season of renewal and hope—let’s share that hope throughout our community!

Note: The Essentials Fund is led by an organizing committee of community volunteers who recognize and appreciate the vital work being done by Waterloo Region’s non-profit community.