Twenty-five years ago, Millbrook/Cavan United Church Minister John Sloan spearheaded the packing of approximately twenty Christmas hampers in the basement of the Lions’ Den for distribution in the community.
Clarke Mayhew was on hand, acting as a Christmas “elf”. Some leftover food was stored in the town hall, but the gesture prompted a discussion. If there was a need for support, it likely didn’t disappear after Christmas. Perhaps there was an ongoing issue that should be acknowledged and addressed. They got to work, invited some help, and Millbrook Food Share was created and settled into the Harry Williams room at the Old Millbrook School, with Louise Brown acting as the organization’s first chair.
Millbrook Food Share operates on a monthly schedule, opening the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 3 to 5 pm. They are currently serving between ten and twenty families and individuals each week. Five years ago that number was double, but since then many of the affordable rental units in the area have been sold, leading to the relocation of many of the organization’s clients to Peterborough.
The most successful project is the Christmas Hamper program, where it all began. In the early 1990’s, the organization would prepare more than 120 hampers, but recently that number has fallen to approximately 50. Each hamper includes perishable and non-perishable food, food and gift vouchers for children with a total value of between $150 and $500, depending on the size of the recipient’s family.
The organization has always enjoyed broad community support, from donated premises from the township, phone services from Nexicom, wifi from the library and donated funds to purchase used shelving, fridges and freezers and a computer. Generous ongoing support from community churches and organizations, school groups, businesses and individuals is supplemented by produce donations from the Community Garden volunteers and local farmers including Craig and Merissa Johnston and Moore Orchards.
The legwork to obtain charitable status for the organization was done by Myrna Burke, which encouraged cash donations which are tax deductible and allow the organization to make strategic purchases when stock is dwindling.
There are roughly fifteen active volunteers helping to deliver this service. Operations are directed by a volunteer board of six members, most of whom have been active in the organization for more than fifteen years.
One of them is Clarke Mayhew. Since day one, Clarke has been on the ground making it work. He refers to himself as the “gopher”, as in he goes for this and goes for that. He has also served as the board chair for two terms and has been the main shopper for the organization. Let’s just say that he knows how to use a discount coupon!
After 25 years on the job, Clarke is ready to retire. Millbrook District Food Share is now seeking an in-house manager with a covered truck or enclosed trailer who is available to pick up supplies on short notice. Given the significant time commitment involved, Clarke suggests the opening would be best suited to a couple with access to a truck as pick ups of supplies are frequent, often unscheduled and occasionally urgent.
Interested parties should contact the organization by mail at 1 Dufferin St., Millbrook or speak to one of the current board members: Clarke Mayhew, Tamara Easto, Jim Cooper, Susan Petch, Glen Spurrell or Jean Larmer. A public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 29th at 7:30 pm at the CMCC in the meeting room. KG
