Our Community Service Committee has been focusing on organizations that are staggering under the weight of the pandemic but continuing to help those in need.
Good Food Boxes
Before the pandemic, this program served 100 families. It now serves more than 300 families due to many people losing their jobs.
In partnership with Lococo’s, fresh food with a focus on fruits and vegetables is delivered to peoples’ homes for a nominal fee once a month. Some recipients are those with special needs paid for by Social Services and 50 percent of the 300 families are paid for by the Friendship Native Centre for First Nations families. The annual cost of this program is $50,000; our club is supporting one month for $4,000.
Community Gardens
We had no idea beforehand that there are a dozen Community Gardens throughout the Niagara Region serving 300 families. Most are on church and school grounds, including one that has been designated as a "Teaching Garden" for families who will benefit by having a plot of their own. The gardens partner with Niagara College, which supplies seeds and plants every year. The gardens are maintained by the families. The mental health benefits of being outside and working the gardens have been a real boon during COVID-imposed isolation l.
Our club is funding a new garden of 40 plots in Fort Erie. The $5,000 we donate will purchase lumber for the raised beds, rain barrels, and tools. The labour will be supplied by the families.
