Local Community Group Hopes to Hold CK’s Largest Food Drive in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
The COVID-19 crisis has created a shortage of volunteers and donations, leaving a portion of the population in a vulnerable position. When it comes to food banks, many of the shelves are bare. To help, a group of community leaders and business owners have stepped up to volunteer their time to lead a Chatham-Kent-wide food drive on May 16th in collaboration with the United Way.
The May 16th Miracle project is asking every resident to place a non-perishable food item on their doorstep at 12:00 p.m., and all donations will be given to food banks and emergency food organizations across Chatham-Kent. For families living in rural areas drop-off locations have been created to ensure anyone wanting to donate can. Drop off locations can be found here.
“Food banks across Chatham-Kent are running very low, if not empty in some cases. Demand has been high, which in normal circumstances, we can handle, however with this pandemic the food banks never had a chance to prepare for the increased pressure on their resources. There is great need now to bring these food banks back up to normal and above normal food levels. Food banks, soup kitchens are the last hope for many of our most vulnerable citizens”
– Reverend Tim Joyce, Blenheim Word of Life Church
Wes Thompson, one of the driving forces behind the initiative, believe this is a great way for us all to help in a big way, “I know that people in Chatham-Kent want to help, and this is a small gesture that will make a big difference.”
On May 16th, the goal is to achieve 100% participation from all residents who can make a food donation to stock the shelves of CK's local food banks and emergency food relief organizations. If it can be pulled off, it will truly be a miracle for those in need and for the community as a whole.
For more information go to may16miracle.com