by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
With an aim to give back to the community for its continued support, the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village (CTMHV) hosted a non-perishable food drive leading into the Christmas season.
Thanks to support from the Museum’s staff, volunteers, and those who visited to take a tour or enjoy a holiday event, the bed of an antique pick-up truck was filled with items that were then forwarded to Project HOPE Windsor Essex, which operates the Harrow Food Pantry, just before Christmas.
Les McDonald, Chairman of the CTMHV, noted for the first food collection headed into the Christmas season, those associated with the Museum were pleased with the number of items collected for the Harrow Food Pantry. He hopes to grow the collection next year to collect even more to support local families facing economic challenges.
The CTMHV chose the Harrow Food Pantry as the local Museum was part of a donation earlier in the fall that benefited the Essex Area Food Bank, and wanted to spread its support around the municipality.
Teri Gorick, one of the organizers for the Harrow Food Pantry, was grateful for the generous donation. She noted the month of December was a busy one for the local food distribution organization.
Volunteers for the Harrow Food Pantry continue to see new individuals attend pick-up times, in need of essentials. Gorick estimated 35-40 individuals – often representing a family – utilize the Harrow Food Pantry each week.
Gorick would like the community to think about donating to the Harrow Food Pantry this spring, when the donations it receives around Christmas have been utilized or distributed. At that time, the shelves will need restocking.
The Harrow Food Pantry is located in the parking lot of the Harrow & Colchester South Arena. Volunteers are onsite to provide essentials to those in need on weekdays, from 7pm -8pm, and on weekends, from 1pm - 2pm.
To learn more about the Harrow Food Pantry, log onto www.projecthopewindsoressex.com/
To learn more about the CTMHV, its upcoming events, or how to become a volunteer, log onto ctmhv.com