CENTRE WELLINGTON – The Helping Hungry Heroes community campaign has exceeded $33,000 in donations.
The Grand River Agricultural Society (GRAS) made the announcement in a press release on May 5.
The original intent of the campaign was to help provide meals to health care and front line workers in Centre Wellington, while also supporting local businesses.
Because of the overwhelming support, the campaign has helped numerous agencies and has supported over 40 different restaurants.
“The original intent was to provide gift cards to Groves Hospital, Wellington Terrace and EMT,” stated Paul Walker, president of the Grand River Agricultural Society.
“However, due to overwhelming support and pass it forward kindness, the project has also provided gift cards to the Centre Wellington Food Bank, Social Services, Wellington Place Child Care and Learning, Highland Manor Retirement Lodge, Caressant Care Fergus Nursing and Retirement Home and Heritage River Retirement Home.”
Local eateries were also looking for a way to support that community and matched or increased the purchased gift cards in kind. Those eateries include: Fergies Fine Foods, A&W Fergus, Spanky’s BBQ & Catering, Tandoori Table and Something Fishee.
GRAS got the ball rolling with a $25,000 donation and were quickly joined by donations from the Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora, Fergus and District Kinsmen, OSSTF District 18 ESSP/ECE, Dan Allen Financial and many individuals who all made cash donations to the campaign.
“This campaign has connected the community and those working tirelessly to keep us and our loved ones safe in a time that we can’t all be together,” says Katie Giddy, director of hospitality, marketing and sales at GRAS.
“We truly believe in the power of community and look forward to future initiatives.”
Follow the campaign and its ongoing community contributions on Facebook @grandriverag.
