THUNDER BAY -- The Children’s Aid Society is teaming up with local, independent grocery stores at Tbaytel in an effort to ensure youngsters don’t go hungry this Christmas.
The organization on Monday launched a food collection campaign at Renco Foods and Westfort Foods, encouraging shoppers to donate non-perishable items, which will be collected and then delivered to CAS clients over the holidays.
As part of its 12 Days of Christmas, Tbaytel is donating $5,000 to the cause, some of which will be used to purchase gift certificates at the participating grocery stores and can be used to buy perishables like fruit and vegetables, bread, milk, meat and eggs.
Brad Bane, the executive director at the Children’s Aid Society, said food is one of the keys to life and shouldn’t be placed on an either/or list.
“Traditionally at Christmastime, people think of supporting children through donations of gifts,” Bane said.
“What we see in our service delivery is a real dependence on community support around ensuring families have adequate nutrition. All too often see families struggling to make ends meet and providing a healthy meal to their children most days – but particularly in the Christmas season.”
Seeing an opportunity, the organization decided to see what they could do to close the gap.
Charmaine Cades, manager of volunteer services at the Children’s Aid Society said food is often overlooked at Christmas, as parents struggle to pay for presents and school activities and cover monthly bills.
“One of the things we really like to do is try to address needs for our families,” Cades said.
To take part in the campaign, shoppers can purchase non-perishable goods and donate them at each of the three participating grocery stores.The food will be donated to CAS families in Thunder Bay and to about 20 in the region.
