In this week’s Chatham Voice, you’ll notice the Chatham Goodfellows gearing up for another season of working to ensure there is “No Child Without a Christmas. Plus, more than a thousand Ursuline College Chatham Students will work to collect non-perishable food items to help stock the shelves at the Outreach for Hunger food bank.
These events happen every year. The amazing Goodfellows team has been at it for seven decades now, and the UCC student body has collected items during Halloween nights over the past 17 years.
They do it because there is a need in Chatham-Kent.
And that need is growing.
It’s not building bit by bit, but is instead expanding like a flood.
Brenda LeClair, executive director of Outreach for Hunger, said the need has essentially doubled just from last year.
She’s been involved at the food bank since the 1980s. She’s seen the need rise and fall over the years, and this rise is shocking to even her.
“Our numbers are practically double compared to what they were just a year ago. The need in Chatham-Kent is quite serious right now,” she told The Voice.
As the Goodfellows said, “The cost of living has gotten out of control, making it difficult for people to pay their rent and buy groceries for their families.”
More and more people, working people, and those struggling just to find a meal, are turning to the food banks for help to get them through the week.
That means two things. The demand, as mentioned, has grown substantially, and the number of people in a position to help has shrunk. Givers have become receivers, and certainly not by choice.
For those of us who can, we urge everyone to help support those in need in Chatham-Kent. Purchase and donate non-perishable food items either directly to the food banks, or to UCC students Halloween night, or to the Goodfellows. If you can give, please do so.
We’re confident the people of Chatham-Kent will come through in support. Together we can move mountains; mountains of food.
