MAKING SURE THERE'S FOOD FOR ALL

VILLAGE OF HOPE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO ADDRESS FOOD SECURITY ISSUES

As grocery bills rise during this recent bout of inflation, the question of food security is once again being raised.

At Village of Hope in Lincoln, Food For All month seeks to alleviate food insecurity for many of the town's most vulnerable residents. An annual campaign, Food For All month helps stock the shelves at the agency ahead of the summer months.

This year, a donor has agreed to match all donations, making support doubly valuable.

"So when you donate $5, it's actually $10," said executive director Cheryl Keddy Scott.

With the need going up thanks to ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19, rising gas prices and rising grocery costs, Keddy Scott said it's as important as ever. For instance, she said in April they distributed 15,000 pounds of food between their regular operations and the Easter hampers.

Keddy Scott told the story of one client with three kids who had a job that paid $18.50 an hour.

"These past few months have been so challenging. Three children, working 20 hours per week with the price of gas and groceries," she said, reciting her conversation with the client.

Board member Sherrin Ellerton said volunteering for a food bank can be both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

"It's heartbreaking. It really is. You don't think that your next

door neighbour could be going to the food bank. And when clients come in, they're so appreciative of what they can get. It just makes your heart feel good," she said.

With the help of Calvary Gospel Church in Beamsville, Village of Hope will be organizing a porch pickup food drive on May 28. Volunteers will be going door

to door throughout the town picking up donations of non-perishable food items. For more information visit villageofhopeniagara.org.