HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-10-27, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011. PAGE 7.
THE EDITOR,
The North Huron Community
Food Share has been in existence to
serve Wingham and area for almost
17 years. While we are an
organization that was likely only
known by our clients for a number
of years, food banks tend not to be
front and centre issues with the
majority of people. We feel as an
organization, that we need to change
that perspective.
We realize that virtually every
individual, service club, church and
business are finding growing
demands for their hard-earned
dollar. Over this summer of 2011,
we have been forced to dip into our
reserves just to keep food on the
shelves for our clients. In the last
five years our clientele has increased
substantially, from 884 clients in the
2006-2007 fiscal year to almost
2,900 clients in the 2010-2011
fiscal year. These figures are
alarming.
A family can only access the Food
Share once a month, which means
we can only supplement them with
approximately 25 per cent of the
food they need. Due to lost jobs,
expiring of benefits, turn down in
the economy, these people are
desperately turning to the Food
Share in greater numbers. We have
been fortunate over the past few
months, that individuals as well as
Fall Fairs have donated much-
needed fresh produce to the Food
Share.
Until the spring of 2010, the
regular donations of non-perishable
food items and monetary gifts had
almost been keeping up the demand,
without us having to become more
public about our need. In the last
year alone, we purchased
approximately $35,000 in additional
food from local stores to supplement
our stock. We are therefore
sending a letter with the direct
message of our plight to
every church, school and service
group in our coverage area,
asking that the letter be read and
shared by as many as possible, to
make people aware of our
immediate need for assistance.
Lately we are receiving more and
more donations from wedding
anniversaries, birthdays and so on.
Possibly you, a group you belong to,
or your workplace would consider
putting on a fundraiser or food drive
on our behalf. Be creative. If you
need a speaker to come to a meeting
to better explain our growing need –
let us know!
We want to assure everyone who
will or has made donations in the
past to the Food Share, that 100 per
cent of every dollar donated goes
directly to our clients in the form of
food. Yes, we do have some
overhead – insurance, hydro,
telephone, etc., but all our
volunteers and Board of Directors
are just that, non-paid volunteers.
You can be assured that everything
donated, whether that be food or
money stays in the community to
assist the people who need it most.
Any donation, small or large is
greatly appreciated and needed. You
might even consider making a
regular monthly donation. To make
donations or for more information,
please contact myself - Gord Kaster
at 519-357-4833 or leave a message
at the Food Share 519-357-2277,
ext. 4. We are located behind the
Upper Deck Youth Centre and
Petropolis at 405 Josephine St. and
are open every Wednesday morning
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You may also
contact any of the following
directors: Wayne Beamer,
Wingham; Maribeth Dixon,
Wingham; Stephanie Schmalz,
Wroxeter; Joyce Johnston, Bluevale;
Rosalyn Schlosser, Bluevale; Bob
Raper, Belmore; Doreen Wintemute,
Wroxeter; Julian Paziewski,
Wroxeter; Raymond Wright,
Wingham; Dawn Ladouceur,
Wingham.
Food on the table is a necessity no
one should have to worry about.
Gordon Kaster, Chairman
North Huron Community Food
Share.
THE EDITOR,
It started like a regular day, we
were actually running ahead of
schedule and decided that my five-
year-old and I would run downtown
before it was time for her to head to
school. As she headed out the door in
front of me, the screaming started, at
first I thought she had been stung by
a bee, or got her finger caught in the
door.
“I don’t know what happened” she
screamed, “your car is smashed!” As
we went out together I realized that
someone smashed the driver’s side
window of my car and stole some
items from inside.
So you say, what’s the big deal?
Insurance you think? Well, I wish the
story was as easy as that. Someone
threw our lives in turmoil in one
simple swipe of a cheap DVD player
and a Barbie movie.
As I tried to remain calm I called
the police and tried to reassure her
that everything would be fine. She
couldn’t comprehend why someone
would do such a thing and as we
heard that other cars in the
neighbourhood were damaged, the
fear started to consume her. Where
are the bad guys? Why did they do
that? Were they in our house? Will
the police catch them? were the
questions as we waited for the
police.
When her cousins arrived to
walk her to school, everyone
wanted to know what happened and
when.
As she finally headed off, I tried to
convince her everything would be
fine and I thought I had succeeded.
My husband had to come home from
work to deal with insurance, police
and repairs, and I headed off to work
with his vehicle.
After being at work for about two
hours the call came, my daughter
had thrown up at school, my
stomach dropped, I knew this story
was not over.
When I picked her up she seemed
fine, she had concerns, concerns and
more concerns. We spent the
afternoon together reassuring,
reassuring and reassuring. The
questions were endless.
That night we had tears, concerns
about the whole family’s safety.
Finally she had to call her grandma
for reassurance that they wouldn’t
come back, and as she was just
falling asleep, a book fell of the shelf
and the whole situation started
again. Where are you? Where is
Dad? Where is your car? have
been the questions since it happened.
Sure the money we had to pay out
of our pockets is frustrating, both
of us lost a day of work, the cost
of the window, but the thought that I
can’t promise it won’t happen again
is heartbreaking.
When you think that a smash and
grab doesn’t really hurt anyone, you
are wrong. Think about it.
Bonnie Hastings.
Food Share falls on hard times
Smash and grab effects run deep: resident
✂✂
✂✂
Flu Clinic Line:519-482-3416 ext. 2511
or toll free 1-877-837-6143 ext. 2511
www.huroncounty.ca/health
Get your flu shot early this
year.
Influenza starts circulating in Huron
County in early fall. This year’s flu shot will
give you the protection you need and help
stop the spread of infection to others.
Pu
b
l
i
c
F
l
u
C
l
i
n
i
c
s
Those especially at risk for serious illness or death or
spreading the virus to others are:
• Children 6 months to 5 years of age • Those 65 years and over
• Anyone with a chronic illness • Health care workers
What you need:
• Wear short sleeves • Having a driver’s licence or
• Have something to eat before coming OHIP card with you will speed
• Be prepared to wait for 15 minutes after up your registration
Clip this ad and post it on your fridge for reference.
Brussels Community Centre
800 Sports Drive, Brussels
Wednesday, November 30th @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Clinton Legion
95 Kirk Street, Clinton
Wednesday, October 26th @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Monday, November 21st @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Crediton
Stephen Central School
70042 Goshen Line, RR #2
Crediton
Saturday, November 5th @ 9 am - 11 am
** Grand Bend Community Health Centre Clinic
Exeter Legion
316 William St. S., Exeter
Wednesday, November 2nd @ 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
** Grand Bend Community Health Centre Clinic
Hensall
122 King St., Hensall
Thursday, November 10th @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 1st @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
** Grand Bend Community Health Centre Clinic
Goderich Suncoast Mall
397 Bayfield Road, Goderich
Wednesday, November 16th @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Seaforth Community Centre
122 Duke St., Seaforth
Monday, November 7th @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Wingham - FE Madill
231 Madill Drive, Wingham
Wednesday, November 2nd @ 3 pm - 7 pm
Monday, November 28th @ 3 pm - 7 pm
ROYAL CANADIAN
LEGION - BRANCH 420
BLYTH
The Poppy Campaign money collected
in 2010 was $4,843.40
THE FOLLOWING IS A REPORT
OF THE POPPY ACCOUNT
POPPY ACCOUNT
Bank Balance Sept. 30/10 $3169.93
Collected in 2010 Campaign 4843.40
Total $8013.33
EXPENDITURES
Poppy Supplies 845.61
Printing & Advertising 555.56
Posters, Poems & Essay Contest Prizes 625.00
Parkwood Hospital Visit &
Bursary (Veteran's Comfort)
& Charitable Foundation 2597.47
$4623.64
TOTAL RECEIPTS $8013.33
TOTAL EXPENDITURES 4623.64
BANK BALANCES SEPT. 30/11 $3389.69
Poppy Chairperson Donna Govier would like to thank all
who made the 2010 Campaign a success, final calculations
indicate gross receipts approaching $4,843.40 earmarked
for service to veterans and their families. As the 2011
campaign approaches it seems appropriate to thank all
who donated during the door to door canvass last
November. A special thanks to all the businesses and
organizations for their continuing support:
The Legion has a supply of canes, crutches, wheelchairs,
walkers, raised toilet seats for any person in our district
who may require the use of them. A special thanks goes
out to the Legion and Ladies Auxiliary members and
any others who have assisted in making this one of the
best poppy campaigns ever. Poppy Week will go from
October 28th to November 11th.
Yours truly,
Poppy Campaign Chairperson Donna Govier
Letters to the Editor