Pomerleau announced on June 1 that it will donate more than $600,000 in support of vulnerable populations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the brand "Love is an essential service", the company will target 14 charitable organizations—organizations in health care, health research and food support for vulnerable populations—in communities it serves. The funding is being made possible in part by donations from two of the company’s owners: Pierre and Francis Pomerleau.

"As we are all deeply touched by the countless human and economic challenges caused by this historic pandemic, we wanted to continue the spirit of giving and goodwill of our community involvement," said company president and CEO Pierre Pomerleau. "This is where our love value truly resonates: for 50 years, and now more than ever, Pomerleau has been committed to the well-being and prosperity of the communities that have welcomed it. In today's environment, it was only natural for us to offer them our support through donations in addition to our generous annual philanthropic program.”

Those organizations being supported under the Love is an essential service campaign include:

• Doctors of the World
• Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the Université de Montréal
• Community Food Sharing Association (St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador)
• Feed NS (Nova Scotia)
• Food DEPOT Alimentaire (New Brunswick)
• Food Banks of Quebec (Quebec)
• Moisson Beauce (Saint-Georges)
• Moisson Québec (Quebec City)
• La Tablée des chefs (Montreal)
• Ottawa Food Bank (Ottawa)
• Daily Bread Food Bank and North York Harvest Food Bank (Greater Toronto Area)
• Food Banks Alberta (Alberta)
• Food Banks BC (British Columbia)

Pomerleau has said it will add to the campaign by challenging its employees to participate in a virtual athletics contest. Every three years, the company encourages it staff to participate in physical activity challenges to raise money for local charities. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the company to change its plans to a virtual contest.

On May 14, employees in two teams started in opposite sides of the country to cover the distance separating Pomerleau's office in St. John's, Newfoundland and its worksite in Victoria, British Columbia, by running, biking or doing any other fitness activity. For every kilometre completed, Pomerleau will donate $2.50 to its Love is an essential service campaign.

"Our employees have once again demonstrated their solidarity and determination to push their limits by accepting this challenge head on," said Pomerleau. "In fact, they are so competitive that we had to expand it from a Canadian to an around the world tour! I couldn't be prouder of their resilience and enthusiasm."