Guelph and Wellington County residents still recovering from the Dec. 22 ice storm will be offered the opportunity for a reprieve.
Wellington County officials are working with the province and a number of retailers and sponsors, "to help people in need who have experienced hardship with the loss of perishable food due to prolonged power outages," stated a Jan. 6 county press release.
Families can receive a $100 grocery card and individuals could receive a $50 grocery card.
County officials warn there is a limited amount of cards available, so they should be reserved only by those experiencing financial hardship.
“The county is very pleased to be able to support the delivery of this assistance,” said Stuart Beumer, the county's director of Ontario Works.
“Given the large number of residents impacted by this major storm, we will not be able to provide the grocery cards to everyone who lost power. We hope that those who come forward for assistance are those who are experiencing financial hardship due to the loss of perishable food.”
The grocery cards will be distributed by Wellington County Social Services staff, beginning on Jan. 7 at 9am and ending on Jan. 9 at 4pm – or earlier if all the cards have been distributed.
The grocery cards will be distributed to residents on a first-come, first-served basis using the following criteria:
– they experienced a power outage of at least 48 hours in duration due to the ice storm;
– they lost perishable food as a result of the power outage; and
– they are or would experience financial hardship to replace this food.
Eligible residents can call 519-837-2670 extension 4794 to apply for a grocery card. They will be asked to provide the following information:
– name and number of family members in the household;
– home address;
– verbal declaration that they were without power for 48 hours; and
– verbal declaration they are experiencing financial hardship related to the loss of perishable food.
For more information, visit www.wellington.ca.
