Prince Edward Island Mutual Insurance Company Support Fund
8/31/2020
Support, Resiliency, Recovery
In response to the effects of the COVID pandemic PEI Mutual, along with its Reinsurer Farm Mutual Re, has responded with matched dollars to create a fund to provide support for Islander's changing needs. Support, Resiliency and Recovery are the three pillars of the fund.
We recognize that Islanders have been dislocated from their normal lives and occupations and are struggling in new ways. PEI Mutual will respond to support immediate priority needs, promote resiliency of Islanders, and facilitate recovery through the fund.
PEI Mutual is pleased to announce that it will donate $21,000 to Island Food Banks to address immediate food insecurity needs. We recognize the effectiveness of Island Food Banks in providing immediate help to people when needed.
Mike MacDonald, Executive Director with the Upper Room in Charlottetown, reports that donations are down, food drives are in question and need has increased. The donation from the PEI Mutual Support Fund is very much welcomed at this time.
PEI Mutual will support the resiliency of Islanders by investing in mental health supports throughout the pandemic. A donation of $31,000 will be provided to the United Way of PEI that will be directed to Family Service PEI to support the expansion of their mental health counselling services, available to Islanders across the province both in person and online.
Andrea MacDonald, CEO of the United Way of PEI, reports that they have been conducting ongoing consultation to identify the changing needs of Islanders as a result of the pandemic. One of the key concerns continues to be around mental health during COVID-19. The demand for services has been growing rapidly and is already outstripping capacity.
Cathy Jones, Executive Director of the Family Services Bureau, is pleased with PEI Mutual's response to their call for help. Ms. Jones notes that "this will help our people to provide further counselling services to Islanders and reduce the mounting strain on existing staff. Islanders are resilient, with a little help they are able to move forward in their lives."
PEI Mutual is confident in the ability of Islanders to conquer adversity. It will continue its efforts to promote the recovery of Islanders. We will get through this Pandemic together. Even small efforts can make a difference. We want to be able to look back and say that we made a difference in the lives of Islanders when it mattered most.