Leeds and Grenville United Way kicks off 2021 fundraising campaign, partnering with 3M Harvest Lunch Program
The United Way of Leeds and Grenville kicked off its 2021 fundraising campaign on Wednesday, with help from a local corporate sponsor, to feed those in need.
A kickoff celebration was held at Loaves & Fishes on Front Street, with mayors from eight municipalities throughout Leeds & Grenville on hand as well as MPP Steve Clark.
Leeds & Grenville United Way Executive Director Trish Buote is excited to get started.
"This community has always been very, very generous and we hope they are going to continue to step us up," Buote said.
Corporate sponsor 3M is partnering with the organization for the first two weeks of the campaign. The company, which manufactures N95 masks and other items like tape, employs more than 350 people in Leeds and Grenville.
With the success of their Harvest Lunch program in western Ontario, helping that United Way branch for the past 17 years, they've brought it to eastern Ontario for the first time.
"Last year we pivoted to a virtual event, our new Harvest Lunch, where all our purchases are made online and we buy lunches for those in need in our community," said 3M Canada President and managing director Penny Wise.
"The success that we've enjoyed both in person and virtually, we looked at expanding that to other communities that 3M has a big footprint," Wise said. "Here in Leeds-Grenville between Brockville and Perth, we have a tremendous number of employees who are dedicated to the community, want to serve, want to volunteer and this seemed like the natural place to bring our harvest lunch to kickoff the untied way campaign in Leeds and Grenville."
The United Way and 3M team will work with six agencies including restaurants until Sept. 30, with a goal of delivering 1,000 hot meals to those in need.
"If we can exceed the thousand, even better, because that means we can feed more people," added Buote.
Loaves & Fishes in Brockville kicking it off on Wednesday serving up a hot meal of pork chops, mashed potatoes and green beans.
"We'll probably have about 160 meals that go out into the community today, so we are really happy to be a part of this," said program supervisor Laurie Prichard.
She also noted the need to help feed people has grown in the region throughout the pandemic.
"When we first started March of 2020 throughout COVID, we were serving 65 people. We went up to about 240. Right now it's about 160 to 180 daily, but i see that increasing as the weather starts to get cooler as well," Prichard added.
Produce for the meals were donated from Tincap Berry Farm, and Tait's Bakery dropped off box loads of free bread.
"I just think this is a fantastic event, so happy to be the kickoff but happy it's supporting so many wonderful organizations in the community that need it and restaurants as well," Prichard said. "The fact that it's helping in so many ways, not just us."
More than 30 3M volunteers from the region were helping the cause, peeling apples and carrots inside.
"Not only are we helping those in need in our community who use the services of the United Way, we're also helping businesses get back on their feet here in our community as well," added wise.
"Each week, each restaurant, each catering company is going to create something different and provide a full hot meal to those who need it," she added. "(the volunteers) are people from here in our community in Brockville and Leeds-Grenville who are getting back out and supporting the community in which they live work and play."
Buote said the campaign goal for the 2021 United Way campaign is higher than it was for 2020.
"Our target is $885,000, so it's over a 20 per cent increase over last years," she said.
"We're hoping by the end of the year to meet our target, and that comes from a mixture of workplaces that do great stuff for us, individuals and corporate donors who help us get there," Buote said.
"We raise every dollar in this community and all the money that we raise stays here, so we have a pretty lofty goal and there is a greater need this year," she added.
Buote said anyone you know looking for help, or a meal, to call 211 or reach out to United Way of Leeds & Grenville office at 613-342-8889.
"We will help navigate them for you and will go to the agencies that they need," Buote said. "We'll take the call on your behalf. Whatever needs to be done, we will help you out."
For anyone wanting to donate to the 2021 campaign, or purchase a meal for someone in need, head to the United Way's Leeds & Grenville website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.