by Sylene Argent
Just in time to support area families during the holiday season, Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW) and Essex Councillor Chris Vander Doelen forwarded generous donations to the Harrow Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank.
On the evening of Wednesday, December 16, Vander Doelen presented $500 to the Harrow Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank volunteer, Reg Campbell. The funds were arranged from his Council Discretionary Fund, which consists of dollars set aside out of the Town of Essex Budget Council members can be use for projects as they come up throughout the year.
Vander Doelen noted his father was a Social Worker, who worked closely with the St. Vincent de Paul. He always spoke highly of the work done through this organization, so Vanden Doelen was pleased to show support to an organization for which his father was so fond.
Bernard and Nancy Gorski, owners of CREW, personally donated 77 case, or the equivalent of around 12,000 packages, of non-perishable foods to the Harrow Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul.
Bernard said he and his wife donate to the Harrow Chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul every year in December, but did a little more than usual this year, knowing there would be more need, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“It is a privilege to do so, to support the community that supports us,” Bernard said. “The St. Vincent de Paul will make sure the people who need it, get it.”
In addition, Gorski donated $100 on behalf of customers, and noted other initiatives at the local winery would result in an additional donation some time over the holiday season.
Campbell noted the number of individuals utilizing the St. Vincent de Paul in Harrow has risen from around 85 in 2019 to 150 people in 2020. He added part of the food donations were distributed through its Christmas Hamper program, which provides a holiday dinner to clients, and part would be forwarded to those in need through its regular assistance program.