ELORA – It was a radio commercial that got 12-year-old Briar Gemmell thinking about food insecurity.
The commercial highlighted a real-life situation where a child ate only one bite of a sandwich for lunch each day to make the sandwich last a week. The child lived in Caledon.
It upset her to know that children go hungry, and that it’s not just a far-away issue. Caledon, after all, is just a stone’s throw from Elora, where Briar lives and attends school.
At the same time, Food and Friends, a school food program run by the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, was running its Live Free campaign to raise funds and awareness about the need for food programs in schools.
Children can’t learn when they are hungry and too many children go to school hungry.
“I’m really glad there is a program that provides food for people,” Briar said. “I really wanted to do something to help.”
So she’s organized Briar’s Movie Night in the Park.
The event takes place in Bissell Park on June 18. It begins at 8pm and the movie, Sing 2, begins at 9:30pm. If it rains, the event will move to the Elora Community Centre. Admission is by donation.
Since she posted her idea on Facebook, Briar has seen an outpouring of support from local businesses and individuals.
The township rented the park at a reduced rate. George Mochrie and Erica Voisin, of the Mochrie and Voisin Real Estate Group, are covering the cost of the movie, projector and screen. Numerous businesses have donated items for a raffle.
There will be face painting and games to play by donation, baked goods, ice cream and other food to purchase. Proceeds will all go to Food and Friends.
“This community really is amazing,” said Briar’s mother Kelly Gemmell. “There’s been wonderful support. But it’s not me doing the organizing. It’s Briar who is putting in the work.”
Food and Friends program manager Anita MacFarlane said fundraisers like this, where children take the lead, are both heartwarming and necessary because the rising cost of food is impacting the program, as it is local residents.
“A year ago, the average cost of a meal was $1.85,” MacFarlane said in an interview. “Now it’s $3.40. Our programs are struggling to keep within their budgets.”
Given the cost of food, MacFarlane said they might have to prioritize the food program to ensure that students who truly need the food can get it.
Right now, the program is open to all students in schools that host the program in an effort to reduce stigma.
MacFarlane said funds raised through Briar’s Movie Night in the Park will be earmarked to programs in Centre Wellington, and depending on how the fundraiser goes, could cover food costs to the end of the school year and perhaps even for start-up in the fall.
“I have no idea how much she’ll raise, but I think Briar will be feeding a lot of kids,” MacFarlane said.
For her part, Briar has not set a target.
“We’re hoping for a lot but don’t have an amount in mind,” she said, adding since it’s her first fundraiser, she’d be happy if it’s well attended and goes off without a hitch.
Those attending should bring a blanket or lawn chairs for viewing.
Briar is posting updates on the Centre Wellington Community Share Facebook page.
