TOUGH CHOICES Dear Editor: Re: Utility costs will not be waived for EWCS food bank In last weeks article it was quoted that the Erin food bank is a joint facility with Guelph-Eramosa, and food is distributed from the Erin location to the Rockwood site. This statement is inaccurate. In reality, EWCS operates two separate food banks in Rockwood and Erin with each receiving their own donations of cash and food, and each staffed with their own employees and volunteers. From time to time, our two food banks may share food with each other (both ways) as both operate as part of a larger organization, but this is not at all a joint facility. It would be inappropriate for us to ask Guelph-Eramosa for help to pay for the Erin food bank utilities as they already donate generously to EWCS to help with our operating costs. To clarify, EWCS does not object to paying our fair share of the costs. Our request to meet is in response to receiving five months of backdated bills with very little notice. We are a small charity and these unbudgeted costs are difficult to manage especially since our budget for the year is already set. Local councils have a difficult job and have tough choices to make. They need to weigh the needs and requests of individual groups but need to make decisions on behalf of the entire municipality and for that they have our utmost respect. We are extremely grateful for all the support, foresight, and leadership we continually receive from the Town of Erin and for their willingness to work with us to make the community a better place to live for all residents. Mark Bouwmeester President East Wellington Community Services
Mark Bouwmeester