The Royal Canadian Legion’s Callander Branch has received some financial assistance to help cope with pandemic challenges.
Marc Picard, Branch President, says they received an additional $10,845 from Veterans Affairs Canada which will help with utilities, insurance, administration costs and wages.
“This funding is much needed and appreciated since we expect minimal revenue this fiscal year,” said Picard.
Picard adds that the pandemic has not allowed the Legion to carry its weekly dine-in’s, weddings or special events and has significantly reduced the capacity of members and visitors attending the branch, which hurts their income.
“We had produced revenue of $360,000 in the previous fiscal year (19-20) and have only been able to produce a fraction of that revenue to date,” he said. “Due to the shutdown in Ontario and then the subsequent extension in Parry Sound District, the branch has been closed to the public for the second time, this time since Dec 22, 2020. We anticipate a decrease in revenue this fiscal year of over $200,000.”
Though the Branch has made every effort to reduce expenses and increase revenue, Picard says they were anticipating a financial deficit until the funding was secured.
“In order to generate lost revenue, we changed our in-person weekly dine-in’s to take out meals every third Friday and have generated a small amount of revenue from that. Our Empty Bottle Return Depot continues to accept donations from the very generous surrounding community,” he said.
Picard ads prior to the pandemic the Branch identified $50,000 in repair and replacements such as the kitchen and main hall areas, which provide thousands of meals in a regular year. “The loss of revenue has drained any financial resources we had in reserve to complete these mandatory repairs.” he added.
