A Christian organization dedicated to helping feed hungry people around the world is getting some help close to home.

On Monday, the Government of Canada harvested a large cheque for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Minister of International Development Harjit Sajjan gave them $75 million.

“We and our members are immensely grateful for the additional impact the grant allows us to have in the work of delivering emergency food assistance around the world,” Executive Director Andy Harrington says in a statement.

Supported by 15 different churches and church-based organizations, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank has officially been around since 1983 and reached more than 30 countries every year.

“In 2020, the world experienced the single largest increase in global hunger ever recorded, a trend that has only continued this year. This predictable and multi-year funding to Canadian Foodgrains Bank will help ensure that food and nutritional support is provided to those who need it most in times of crisis," Sajjan says.

Last year the food bank helped close to one million people.

Canadian Foodgrains Bank says Clearwater-area farmer Jan McIntyre joined them at the event.

"As a donor, I greatly respect and appreciate the Canadian Foodgrains Bank approach of working in partnership with local partners and organizations already present in a country. Not only does this approach bring practical value, but it also respects and offers dignity to the people of the countries and communities we help," McIntyre said, thanking the minister.

Since its beginnings, the Government of Canada has given them $699 million.