Community News

FEEDING A NEED: CAA NIAGARA CELEBRATES NEW BRANCH

MONEY WILL SUPPORT FEED NIAGARA, A COALITION OF REGIONAL FOOD BANKS

LUKE EDWARDS ledwards@niagarathis week.com

As visitors planned trips, renewed their memberships and checked out unique artisan products in the new community retail store, 10 local food banks were also receiving a significant boost that will help them feed those in need.

CAA Niagara celebrated the opening of its new Pen Centre location on Monday, March 20 with a $100,000 donation to Feed Niagara, a collection of 10 regional food banks who have joined forces to end food insecurity in Niagara. The Pen Centre location will replace the former public sites at Lake Street and Schmon Parkway, that latter of which will remain open for administrative staff but not be public facing.

"We're thrilled about the opportunities that this new home at the Pen Centre brings," said Michael Goodale,

chair of the CAA Niagara board.

The donation to Feed Niagara builds on the organization's Community Boost program, which provides funding and other support

for two Niagara charities each year, said Peter Van Hezewyk, president and CEO of CAA Niagara.

"We're taking our commitment to service and the community to the next level,"

he said.

The new branch builds on other expansions and upgrades at sites across the region, including Grimsby, Welland and Niagara Falls.

Beyond the $100,000 donation,

Van Hezewyk said the organization is also planning a month-long food drive in August, to help stock the shelves of the Feed Niagara food banks. It builds on the Big

Food Boost drive the organization initially created in response to the increased needs at food banks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, the Pen Centre branch also has a community retail component, where 16 Niagara artisans who don't have a brick-and-mortar store can sell their wares. Artisans can apply for a space in the store.

St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said CAA has long been a staple in the region and in his own personal life. He recalled family trips as a child always began with CAA, which would help the family plan their vacation. Later, he had peace of mind driving home from university, and more recently nearly required their services in the winter when he accidentally drove up onto a curb.

"CAA was always that peace of mind," he said.

Betty-Lou Souter, CEO of Community Care St. Catharines-Thorold, said the donation will help the coalition ramp up and comes at a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet.

"It's amazing to have an organization like CAA recognize our work in a tangible way," she said.

The Pen Centre branch is located in the former London Arms unit. For more information, visit caaniagara.ca.

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2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

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