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The Citizen, 2019-09-26, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2019. Mary Ellen Zielman from the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre worked to dispel some misleading information about the centre at the Sept. 18 meeting of Huron County Council. Zielman’s presentation to council stemmed from a meeting in August at which Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan relayed some information told to him about the centre charging local food banks for food. Zielman assured council that was not the case, but that there are some charges associated with some of the centre’s programming and expenses. At the Aug. 14 meeting, MacLellan was concerned that the centre was receiving $66,000 per year from the county and then turning around and charging local food banks for food. He then suggested the county rethink its funding, reallocating it to local food banks where it might do more good. At the Sept. 18 meeting, Zielman said the rumours MacLellan relayed were unfounded and clarified the charges paid by local food banks to the centre. She said there is a charge connected to the centre’s milk and eggs delivery program, demand for which is ever-growing, but that it isn’t directly connected to the delivery of food. She added that the centre spends more than it receives. The program and the local food banks paying into it, she said, traces back to a meeting in 2015 between the centre and the local food banks. Local representatives wanted to see those food items delivered and were willing to help with costs to the centre to make that happen. She also said that buying fresh items through the centre makes the most financial sense because of the centre’s buying power and the ability to stretch a dollar further than local food banks or regular consumers. She also said there is a small, fixed charge to aid the centre in its delivery. Zielman also made it clear that there are two clear avenues of funds with the centre and that the county’s money is used to buy food, not for salaries or administration costs, which was another concern of MacLellan’s at the August council meeting. She also said the centre could be doing a better job of being clear about how money is spent there, because transparency at the centre is of the utmost importance. Zielman acknowledged that due to the large annual grant the centre receives from the county that it could be perceived as a threat to the local food banks, but that nothing could be further from the truth. However, it’s with that size that the centre is able to leverage to support the local food banks to the extent it does with its buying power, she said. MacLellan addressed Zielman’s report, saying he was content with the information she had presented and didn’t have any further concerns. While he was acting on concerns from someone at his local church, asking for a report from Huron County staff, he felt comfortable with the county’s funding. In fact, he said, he never suggested pulling funding from local food banks, but rather just wanted to ensure the county’s funds were being directed in a way they could help the most people. He said he felt he had valid concerns at the Aug. 14 meeting, but now that he had been further educated on the centre’s funding model, he felt “quite comfortable” with the county’s support of the centre. This year’s Brussels Terry Fox Run raised $8,140. This was the 25th Run in Brussels and the 39th of the Terry Fox Run. This year approximately 100 people participated in the event. The volunteers from Brussels Lions Club held registration and cooked hot dogs and sausage on a bun, donated by John and Yvonne Albers. The event was held at the Optimist Clubhouse. The Brussels Optimist held a boot collection at the corner of Newry Road and Turnberry Street raising $2,190 and online donations of $1,250. Zielman assuages food bank centre concerns Brussels Fox Run raises $8,140 RADAR AUTO PARTS 235 Turnberry St., BRUSSELS 519-887-9661 3878 Wellington St., MITCHELL 519-348-8485 20 King St., CLINTON 519-482-3445 “You will find it at CARQUEST” Congratulations to all the new businessesCongratulations to all the new businesses 24 Princess St. W., Clinton www.clintonglassandmirror.com Welcome to all the new businesses! Goderich 519-524-7251 Clinton 519-482-3677 Wingham 226-422-2020 Welcome to the many new businesses on their Grand Opening! A warm welcome to all the new businesses! 218 Ontario St., Clinton 519-482-9392 Dr. Veronica Lee • Dr. Melinda Lee Building Prosperous Communities Libro Clinton, 48 Ontario Street libro.ca • 519-482-3466 Congratulations to all the new businesses opening! Libro invests in the prosperity of the communities where we live, work and play. A warm welcome to all the new businesses in the community, when our communities flourish, we all prosper! The Citizen Blyth 519-523-4792 Brussels 519-887-9114 Best Wishes on all the Grand Openings 15 Victoria St., Clinton, ON Store: 519-482-7180 Cell: 519-955-6820 jessicacarnochan@gmail.com Make us your stop for your fall and winter fashions Welcome all the new businesses! 1-877-839-3742 www.mcconvilleomni.ca CLINTON 8 Isaac St. 519-482-3434 Fax: 519-482-1491 GODERICH 46 East St., 519-524-9899 Fax: 519-524-9699 LUCKNOW 634 Campbell St. 519-528-3824 Fax: 519-528-2531 SOUTH BRUCE PENINSULA 759 Hwy. 6, 519-534-4962 Fax: 519-534-1502 • FARM • HOME • AUTO • BUSINESS • COMMERCIAL • RECREATION • COTTAGE • MARINE Welcome to all the businesses joining our great community! See you at the Grand Openings In Clinton Celebration September 28 ~ 10AM -5PM By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Local Coverage Where You Work, Play & Live 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 www.huroncitizen.ca Catch up on sports, shopping deals, restaurants, events, new businesses, politics, job openings, homes for sale, cars for sale and more with your local newspaper! Subscribe Today! In Print & Online The Citizen