The Township of Mapleton will make a $1,000 donation to Christian Aid Ministries’ Reapers of Hope, a charitable food processing operation located in Moorefield.
The operation is set up to dehydrate surplus produce and convert it to dried soup mix for shipment abroad to feed those in need around the world.
At the April 8 council meeting, Drayton resident Ab Hesselink asked if the municipality would consider foregoing the water and sewer charges for the facility “as a means of having the total community supporting this good work.”
The operation, which relies entirely on volunteer labour, is currently charged monthly water and sewer rates of $80.24, which amount to $962.88 annually.
Council directed staff to prepare a report on how best to accommodate the request.
In the report at the April 22 meeting, CAO Patty Sinnamon suggested the donation be accommodated by an annual donation.
“I would suggest that this is more appropriate than waiving the fee as there are expenses with the area-rated services that must be covered. Further, donations that council approve should come from general operating budget and not an area-rated account,” she explained.
The report also points out Reapers of Hope already benefits from a charity rebate program for non-profit organizations administered by the County of Wellington.
The rebate is equal to 40 per cent of taxes.
In 2013 the total taxes for the operation were $5,926, and a rebate of $2,370 was provided, including $863 from the county, $985 from the school board and $520 from the township.
