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KITCHENER - Between a break-in and a cancelled fundraiser, the local AIDS committee is worried it won't be able to raise enough money to support hundreds of people living with HIV in Waterloo Region.

Close to $3,000 worth of cash cards and computer equipment was stolen from the nonprofit's King Street East office sometime before Monday morning. The cash cards are given to individuals to help them buy food.

"No one wants to deal with a break-in, but at a time like this when we have had to cancel our most lucrative fundraising event, it's a bit of a challenge," said Ruth Cameron, executive director of AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area, also known as ACCKWA.

The group helps 400 individuals living with HIV in Waterloo Region. It's food program helps these individuals purchase fresh food to supplement their diets.

"That theft plus not being able to do the fundraising event will have an impact on this year as we try to help people stay a little bit more food secure," Cameron said.

The group's annual fundraiser, A Taste for Life, helps raise $10,000 to $12,000 for the food program. With that scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic, Cameron said the group is worried about funds for the upcoming year. They hope to recoup some lost funds through online donations.

Stigma persists around HIV and AIDS and it can often prevent people from getting the help they need. Now in the midst of the pandemic, checking in on these individuals is more important than ever, Cameron said.

ACCKWA is calling its most vulnerable individuals regularly to check in on them.

"Food security and isolation are some of the biggest challenges folks struggle with, so we are just trying to step up and help them however we can," Cameron said.

The office is also open for a few limited hours each day as staff continue to put together harm-reduction kits to hand out to vulnerable individuals.

Cameron said the risk of developing severe symptoms if infected with COVID-19 varies when it comes to individuals living with HIV.

Those who are able to adhere to their medication regime and are considered virally suppressed are not at higher risk, she said. But people who have other health challenges, whose HIV is less controlled, are at risk.

"So I really do want to try to assist those individuals to stay safe and as healthfully isolated as possible."

Staff, volunteers and peers - invidivuals with lived experience who help others - are working together to offer virtual education and outreach during the pandemic.

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