CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Centre Wellington Food Bank gave its Crystal Award to Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) and Giant Tiger, but because it couldn’t hold its AGM, the awards were given without fanfare.
But they still have meaning, said Erica Parker-Brown, a CWDHS teacher who accepted the award on behalf of participating students.
Parker-Brown has been behind the school’s campaign for about 10 years.
But it is actually students in the business leadership program, the student council and, in 2022, students in the politics and action group, who have taken the food bank campaign and made it their own, she said.
“They do the work; they plan their events, they advertise, they set their goals and then figure out how to get there,” Parker-Brown said.
“It’s a nice thing to do for the community, but there is real learning from running the campaign.”
She listed skills like professional communication by phone and email, organization and logistics, and learning to delegate and share the work as key among lessons learned by students.
And then there’s the community-building piece.
“It’s so important, so vital, especially after COVID. That sense of community has been lost,” she said.
Parker-Brown explained students raise between 1,200 and 1,400 pounds of food and often raise cash donations as well.
The food bank annually recognizes people and organizations who make significant contributions that allow the agency to support people with food insecurity issues.
Food bank board chair Jackie Andrews said in an email the high school has been a solid supporter of the food bank for many years.
She noted the school supports the Christmas Angel program as well as holding three food drives: at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Their generous support truly makes a difference in all the lives of families and individuals we support,” Andrews said.
Giant Tiger received the corporate sponsor of the year award.
“Since Giant Tiger first came to Fergus it has been a strong supporter and contributor to our food bank,” Andrews said.
“We appreciate all the cash, gift card and food donations that it has given us.
“The gift card donations are extremely appreciated because they allow us to purchase and provide fresh produce each week that would not otherwise be available to our clients as they cannot afford to buy it.”
Andrews said the awards are usually given out at the annual general meeting in May, but the food bank hasn’t held a proper AGM since the pandemic. Still, “their continued support is much appreciated, and we hope to acknowledge them at our AGM in 2023,” she said.
Andrews also extended thanks to anyone and everyone who contributed to the food bank over the holiday season.
Demand is up, she said, “and we couldn’t do it without the help and dedication of our community.”
