This year there have been a few changes in the executive of our local Foodshare with the Brian Reynolds replacing long-time Chair David Brackenridge, but the local organization continues to address the needs of our community with some fresh recruits. During the Christmas season, our community always demonstrates its generosity towards those in need with significant contributions to this organization. Donations to our local food bank come from all generations and community groups, with significant support coming from our local schoolchildren. At Millbrook South Cavan Public School, the Me to We club continue their tradition of directing the classmates’ focus during Hallowe’en towards the less fortunate, as students collect donations for others as well as treats for themselves during this eventful evening of fear and fun.
Food Share volunteers have begun to build up theirs supplies for the Christmas season when they will prepare roughly 80 Christmas Hampers for local families. These customized boxes of goodies are prepared for registered recipients based on the size and composition of the recipient families, with a value ranging from $150 to $200. Included are non-perishable food items, fresh local produce, a grocery voucher from Foodland and $25 Walmart vouchers for each child in the family, allowing recipients to purchase particular items to make their own holiday special.
As always, the biggest challenge in this program is getting the Christmas Hampers into the hands of those in need. There is reluctance on the part of some to ask for help, and hampers are only provided to those who register. Anyone interested in receiving one should contact Foodshare by calling 932-7066 or ask volunteers on hand during the regular food bank days, which occur on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of every month at the Old Millbrook School. Hampers are picked up by the recipients on December 18th between 3 and 5 pm at the same location.
Donations to this local charity go very far, thanks in part to the generosity of the Township which provides the location for their operation rent free. The organization is staffed solely by volunteers who are on hand to help their clients pick up supplies during regular hours, and organize the supplies. Super-shopper Clarke Mayhew continues to purchase supplies, taking advantage of discounts and coupons to ensure ongoing product costs are kept low.
The organization welcomes donations of current, non-perishable goods or cash any time of year, and collection barrels can be found at the entrance to Foodland and at the Community Care office on King St. While it may feel good to purchase supplies yourself, cash donations are much appreciated particularly at this time of year, allowing volunteers to purchase vouchers and fill in gaps in supplies.
Foodshare also benefits from the generous ongoing support of local churches, service clubs including Community Care, the Lions and the Legion, and the township. Community Garden volunteers including Bill Vanderplum, Grace Glass, Leni Rautiainen and Joanne Roland have already furnished fresh produce to the organization. The efforts of these volunteer gardeners have contributed an ongoing supply of fresh, local produce over the season along with several local farms who have also provided ongoing support with donations of fruit and vegetables. Craig and Merissa Johnson of Bailieboro deserve a special note of thanks as they donate all of the fresh produce distributed in the hamper program.
To make a donation, call Food Share at 932-7066 or Brian Reynolds at 705-944-8807. KG
