Success is easy to enjoy when it means everyone who asked was given enough to eat.
Community Care Thorold branch manager Maxine Hutchings says she’s very grateful following this Christmas season as the agency accommodated close to 500 families and individuals through its Christmas program, providing food gift cards for Christmas dinner, gifts and gift cards and groceries to those in need.
Hutchings told ThoroldNews the city can feel proud of the way its citizens stepped up during Christmas and made sure no one who asked for help was denied. She said she especially wanted to thank St. Vincent de Paul - Holy Rosary, Thorold’s business community and faith groups, as well as the families and individuals “for their kindness and unwavering support that brought people joy and gave people hope.”
“The Thorold community really came together,” she said.
On an ongoing basis, Hutchings said Thorold’s Community Care office is receiving a growing number of requests for support with 19 additional households asking for help in January. Currently, 268 households are registered to receive groceries from the agency, while 244 were registered at the same time last year.
“It’s pretty obvious the need is growing,” said Hutchings.
Hutchings said canned meats and other canned dishes such as pasta are always in high demand, noting many individuals and families don’t always have access to full kitchens and canned items are easier for them to prepare.
Anyone interested in donating to Community Care can bring groceries to one of the many churches in Thorold which have donation barrels or bring donations directly to its offices at 19 Albert Street West in Thorold Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
In addition, pre-prepared grocery bags can be purchased at Thorold’s Foodland at the Pine Plaza. Hutchings said Foodland’s owner, Todd Marr, adjusts the contents of the bags to fill any need or shortage identified by Community Care.
“Todd’s been very good to us,” she said.
For more information about Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold and its services, visit www.communitycarestca.ca.
