RELEASE: The NEED is NOW
The NEED is NOW
Meridian Port Colborne branch steps up to help Port Cares help local residents in need especially during the summer months
(June 4, 2024 - PORT COLBORNE) Every day new faces are showing up at Port Cares Reach Out Centre and food bank for support. “It’s a new norm for food banks across the country,” says Christine Clark Lafleur, CEO of Port Cares the operator of south Niagara’s largest food bank – the Reach Out Centre located at61 Nickel Street, Port Colborne.
“Historically food banks have always faced challenges in securing non-perishable food donations during the hot summer months. The challenge this year started earlier than ever. We started to experience empty shelves on daily basis beginning in April which has been unheard of up until now,” explains Clark Lafleur.
The south Niagara charity ahs been reaching out to community members and organizations to help close the gap by donating non-perishable food or funds with which Port cares can bulk purchase food for distribution.
“The current economy is truly the perfect storm – households have less disposable income available to be able to donate while the cost of living continues to increase,” explains Dan Bouchard, Manager of Meridian Credit Union Port Colborne. “Our branch has supported Port Cares for more than a decade and we’re proud to be stepping up to challenge each other, our members and other local businesses to help where they can as the need is now."
Meridian Credit Union Port Colborne launched its summer challenge this week called The NEED is NOW encouraging bank members and community residents to support the Port Cares Reach Out Centre Food Bank. “We will be collecting from the first week of June through to September. Every little bit helps,” explains Bouchard.
Port Cares is a charity and relies on fundraising and donations to help households experiencing poverty. “We are truly grateful for the support we receive from supporters like Meridian Credit Union and everyone in our community. Truly Port Colborne and Wainfleet are communities where people truly care about others,” adds Clark Lafleur .
Attached photo: Left to right: Dan Bouchard, Manager Meridian Port Colborne, Amanda Upper, Manager, Client Services; Taylor Mynlieff, Assistant Manager, Meridian Port Colborne Branch; Meagan Gallant, Warehouse Supervisor, Port Cares Reach Out Centre.
Since 1986, Port Cares has offered a multitude of services for people, young and old, not only in Port Colborne, but also across Niagara including Lincoln, West Lincoln, Welland, Pelham and Fort Erie. They offer housing, employment training, a foodbank, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, a meal program, utility assistance, counselling and crisis services- as well as seasonal programs like Give a Gift and more. Their services are wide-ranging - the need is undeniable.
QUICK FACTS ABOUT PORT CARES REACH OUT CENTRE:
- Port Cares Reach Out Centre Food bank (ROFC) assists one in 8 local residents.
- A third of the people reliant on the ROFC Food Bank are children.
- The most needed food item donations for the food bank include canned meat, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta & sauce, peanut butter, cereal, jam, baby food, formula and diapers, personal hygiene items.
- Last school year the Port Cares Reach Out Food Centre located at 61 Nickel Street, Port Colborne, provided 3,100 lunch kits and more than 15,700 lunches to local school-age elementary and secondary school children who live in low-income households.
- Hot, nutritious community meals are served three times a week to families and individuals in need with more than 90 adults and children typically attend each meal.
Port Cares’ mission is to help those in our community with social and economic needs improve their quality of life. Port Cares’ vision is to provide help, hope and opportunity for all to achieve their potential.
