The provincial government is providing funding for local tax clinic and financial literacy workshops.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae says the Ontario government provided the Local Community Food Centre in Stratford with $60,900 in funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation's (OTF) Seed Grant stream.
The funds will enable the food centre to establish a volunteer tax clinic and financial literacy program to help those in the area who need it.
One program is the Tax Smart, Thrive More program, which is designed "for individuals and families with modest incomes. The program provides friendly, non-judgmental tax filing support and accessible workshops on topics like budgeting, fraud awareness, and government benefits," according to Rae.
Additionally, on top of free tax services, the program offers tailored financial literacy workshops that provide practical education and learning opportunities.
"The Tax Smart, Thrive More program at the Local Community Food Centre is a great resource for our community," said MPP Rae. "The program helps teach smart money management and offers free tax returns, the first step to empower individuals in our community to find success and confidence with their personal finances."
"Whether it’s helping people learn new things, connect with their community, or simply have fun, organizations like the Local Community Food Centre deliver experiences that make a difference," said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. "That’s why grant support through the Ontario Trillium Foundation is so important. This funding will help ensure it remains at the heart of the community for decades to come."