Photo Karen Graham – Food Share volunteers met to get organized for the upcoming season. Pictured from left to right are Dave Welch, Linda Reynolds, Edith Mayhew, Susan Petch, Clark Mayhew, Brian Petch, Dave Earl, Brian Reynolds, Alex Clysdale and David Brackenridge.
While Halloween has just passed, local Food Share staff is gearing up for their busiest season. After Thanksgiving, their food supplies have dwindled, but donations flood in as the month draws to an end, as ours community always comes through to help those less fortunate in time for the holiday season.
Donations come from a wide range of individuals and organizations. They routinely receive donations from local church groups, service organizations such as the Lions’ club and the Legion, as well as local business and individuals. During the summer months, the organization benefits from weekly produce donations from the Community garden which despite the poor weather, provided lots of fresh produce for Food Share customers.
This year the Millbrook South Cavan Students will repeat their Halloween-themed food drive entitled “We Scare Hunger”. Last year students collected 20 boxes of food for local families in need during the month of November. Donation bins will be set up around the community at locations including the TD Bank, Community Care and —-. During the Christmas in the village events, donation bins will be strategically located during the festivities and donations will be encouraged as thanks for activities such as the popular horse-drawn sleigh rides.
The breadth and depth of support for this organization is heartening to Brackenridge, but he believes feels that Food Share could help more people in the community, and there are residents who could benefit who are reluctant to participate. The organization is reconsidering its hours to ensure they provide convenient access to recipients so this is not a barrier for participation in the program.
This is a very busy time for the Food Share volunteers, as they have begun the annual task of accepting registrations for Christmas Hampers which continues until November 29th this year. These boxes which are picked up by the recipients on December 20th between 2 and 5 pm at the Food Share location in the Old Millbrook School. Each hamper is custom-made for the recipient based on the size and composition of the family. The value of each hamper ranges from $150 to $200, and includes non-perishable food items, a grocery voucher from Foodland in lieu of a turkey or other meat product, and $25 vouchers for each child in the family from Walmart. These vouchers allow the recipients to purchase particular items to make their own holiday special.
As a member of the Kawartha Food Share organization, our local food bank receives donations every month from corporate donors including Sobeys, Costco and Sysco. With only insurance expenses to cover, cash donations to this local charity are very cost effective, thanks in part to the generosity of the Township who provide the location for their operation rent free. The organization is staffed by a loyal group of volunteers who are on hand three Tuesdays a month to distribute food to their registered clients.
While it may feel good to purchase supplies yourself, cash donations can be more effective as they fill in supply gaps for the hampers, and fund the purchase of vouchers. Super shopper Clarke Mayhew scours the local flyers and ensures grocery purchases optimize the benefits from sales. Even during the Christmas season, the group focus their efforts on providing food and do not accept toys for distribution.
For David Brackenridge, the job is very rewarding. He says “I am always amazed by the generosity of our community. We are very grateful for the support we receive from youngsters to adults, from our churches and services organizations. It allows us to answer the needs of those in need all year round.” He encourages anyone who could benefit from the services they provide to contact them at 932-7066 or at 932-2958. And most importantly, on behalf of the Millbrook Food Share, he extends best wishes to all in the upcoming holiday season. KG
