The Centre Wellington Food Bank’s holiday programs bring together the community to help those struggling to provide for their families.
More than 100 volunteers helped out during the three days of preparation – and hundreds of donations were given by churches, service groups, agencies, businesses and schools who contributed food, gifts, time and services to help those in need.
“Unless you actually see it, you won’t believe how amazing our community is,” said Jackie Andrews, chair of Centre Wellington Food Bank (CWFB)board of directors.
The food bank’s hamper day was held at the Fergus Sportsplex on Dec. 12. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora, which paid the $2,000 rental fee in order for the event to take place in the Unity Hall.
Clients checked in by their registration number and were helped by their volunteer guide, who navigated the shopping cart on loan from Little Tree Nurseries.
After picking up the non-perishables in a box decorated with reindeer by Alex Hobson, who had 225 boxes decorated by August, recipients picked up a supply of frozen meat.
Those with children then picked up a collection of gifts provided by Christmas Angel program donors, members of the community who buy gifts according to clients’ submitted wish lists.
Clients were able to select two gifts or toys for each child, a stocking stuffer, a book and stuffed animal.
This year, there were 95 families involved in the Angel campaign, compared to 77 last year.
“Those who need us most in the community reached out to us and the community responded,” said Andrews. “It was amazing.”
Hundreds of toys were donated through the Fergus Lions/Reliable Ford Toy Drive, which has been held for 15 years.
“Every year the collection of toys has increased. This year the toys, and especially cash and gift certificates, nearly doubled. It is the most productive year we have had by a big margin,” said Gary Waterhouse, chair of the toy drive.
Eight vehicles were loaded with toys and delivered to the food bank on Dec. 11. The cash and gift card amounts totaled roughly $3,000, which is close to $1,000 more than last year.
“The rationale for the improved numbers, has a lot to do with the increased need, due to lost jobs in the area which is a well known fact,” said Waterhouse.
“The increased need for support prompted the Fergus Lions Club to increase its contribution this year by an extra $300 and also prompted us to look for other ways to get the community involved even more so than they have in the past.”
The Santa Claus Parade committee, which is made up of three service clubs (Lions, Optimists and Kinsman), decided to make the parade theme “A Beary Merry Christmas” and promoted it in the media.
“Increased use of posters and good participation again of the local businesses, plus a lot more people in the community joining in made for the best year yet,” said Waterhouse.
“Reliable Ford provided a truck and driver for the parade and Lions members walked with the truck collecting toys along the route.
“The whole community can be proud of its participation and results. Our goal was to have no child go without and we believe that has been accomplished.”
This year, Christmas hampers were distributed to around 200 families – compared to 169 in 2012.
Each hamper included items like cereal, canned fruit and vegetables, potatoes, carrots, dressing, cranberry sauce and gravy, jello, juice, a box of cookies, cake mix, hot chocolate, pancake mix, and maple syrup.
Meat items were a turkey breast or ham steak for singles, stuffed turkey breast or small ham for small families (two to three people), and a turkey or large ham for families of four and more.
All the meat for the hampers is paid for by the CWFB with help from fundraisers such as the “turkey drive,” with funds matched up to $5,000 by Scotiabank.
Last year well over $20,000 was donated through fundraisers with Scotiabank.
The Grand Quilt Guild of Fergus donated 600 reversable placemat sets with holiday patterns on one side, and everyday use on the other.
“It’s really quite heartwarming,” said Lorraine Tierney, director of the CWFB.
According to statistics collected by the food bank, the need for help has increased substantially, and food bank clients now include 31 children under two, compared to nine at this time last year.
A total of 209 new clients had registered by the end of November – the largest increase the food bank has ever seen and 68 per cent more than in 2012. This brings the number of individuals assisted by the food bank in the last 12 months to 978.
For more information, contact the CWFB at 519-787-1401 or visit www.cwfoodbank.org.
