It’s easy to help the hungry.
Those of us who aren’t forced to get our groceries from Community Care can help stock the agency’s shelves during its difficult, lean summer months.
Traditionally, many people are focused on vacations at this time of year, and forget that there are hungry children and adults in their own community.
Prompted by a presentation by Community Care at a recent OneThorold meeting, Hilda Vanderklippe of the Village Church--in cooperation with OneThorold--is spearheading a Thorold Food Drive on Sunday, June 9.
“Our church does RAKE (random acts of kindness everywhere),” she explained, and the food drive is an extension of that ongoing program.
“This year, we invite the community to help.”
There are two ways to participate in the door-to-door campaign, she advised ThoroldNews. One is to simply open your door and contribute an item, or number of items, to food canvassers. Flyers will be placed in some Thorold mailboxes ahead of time, informing residents of Community Care’s most-needed food items, though any type of non-perishable food will be appreciated, said Vanderklippe.
“If you are not home that Sunday, but would like to participate, please either leave food items on the porch, or drop if off at Community Care,” located at 19 Albert Street West in Thorold.
The second way to contribute is to collect food from your neighbours yourselves.
If you plan to do this, she asks that you first email her at [email protected] “and we will assign you a street to make sure streets aren’t duplicated.”
Volunteers whose street has already been designated for canvassing will be asked to choose another street.
Some rural areas have already been spoken for; Beaverdams resident James Symons has volunteered to collect food from that area, and Port Robinson Proud will manage and organize the food drive in Port Robinson.
“We would like to make this an annual event,” stated Vanderklippe. “We want to be a caring place that supports all the members in our community. Poverty continues all summer.”
All volunteers are invited to join the Village Church for the kick-off at Richmond Street School gym at 10 a.m. on June 9. There will be coffee, snacks, and some inspirational thoughts before everyone heads out to collect food, stated Vanderklippe. Afterwards, volunteers are invited to join a potluck lunch at the school.
"These are exciting times to be a part of Thorold. What a privilege it is to partner together for the good of our city."
