MINTO – Organizers of the Andersons’ Community Christmas Dinner have found another way to give back to the community.
Local residents in need of assistance with the purchase of necessities can request a share of a $2,500 pool of “Think Minto First” gift cards purchased with donations received from the 2022 event.
“We struggled with what to do with the money after that dinner. The food banks are so well supported that they said, ‘We don’t need money,” Minto resident Jean Anderson told the Community News.
Since 2016, Anderson and her husband David have been organizing the free community dinner event each year on Dec. 25.
Although a major snowstorm disrupted plans to hold the 2022 dinner in person, it was switched to a takeout-only event on Dec. 27, with meals also delivered to those who needed the service.
Over 270 meals were served thanks to numerous volunteers who turned up to help.
Although there is no charge for the dinners, held in community halls around Minto on an alternating basis, there is no shortage of people wishing to donate in support of the event.
In the past, funds beyond an amount to cover event costs have been donated to local food banks, school breakfast programs, Big Brothers and Sisters of North Wellington and the Clifford Rotary Club.
“We just thought, what about having gift cards for people?” said Anderson.
While many charitable organizations are “well supported,” she explained, “It’s the people who are struggling who don’t fit that criteria.
“They’re working and they need help with groceries, but they don’t qualify for the food bank,” she noted.
Anderson said gift cards from local grocery, pharmacy and hardware stores were purchased for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis.
“People just need to notify us they are in need of some assistance, and we will give them their gift cards,” she stated.
“That way, it’s to give back to the people in the community who are struggling and don’t qualify for all the social services … like the young kids that are working and trying to pay rent that has tripled and a little help with groceries or being able to go to the hardware store and pick up some light bulbs or batteries or laundry soap or whatever.”
The program’s impact is multiplied as the purchase of the cards helps local businesses, as well as the Harriston and District Horticultural Society, which is selling Think Minto First gift cards as a fundraiser.
To request gift cards through the program, call Anderson at 519-505-5914 or email jeanurse1@gmail.com.
