Essex Food Basket big hit in Essex Centre - 123 households were served

by Sylene Argent

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing food insecurity for some local families facing economically stressful situations, area residents have banned together to form a food distribution system, now titled the Essex Food Basket. To date, this group has hosted three events throughout the Town of Essex.

  The most recent food distribution event took place in Essex Centre on Saturday. From the parking lot of the Essex Centre Sports Complex, volunteers served 123 local households – including 235 adults and 127 children – with fresh food, milk, and non-perishable items.

  In addition, volunteers were able to load up to make 26 deliveries around the area, bringing food boxes to individuals unable to attend the event.

  To date, this is the largest distribution the Essex Food Basket group has been able to make. Previously, it hosted similar events in Harrow and McGregor. 

“It was exciting. It was the busiest one yet,” Kathy Beaudoin, a lead volunteer for this group, said.

  The food distribution events would not be possible without the generous donations from community members and local businesses. In addition, it could not be a go without the many volunteers who offer to roll up their sleeves to be of service to their community. She was particularly grateful to the members of UNIFOR 195 for their help on Saturday. They also made a trailer available to help transport the donations to the site.

  The Essex Centre food distribution event was able to take place because of generous donations, including from the Unemployed Help Centre, Del Fresco Produce, Gagnon Demolition, and Jeff Shepley Excavation. Personal donations were also provided.

  The Essex-Kent Milk Producers also donated 200-litres of milk for the event.

  Donations of unwrapped toys, for the Little Hands Kids for a Cause organization, were collected during the event. Linda Roelens, Vice President of the Little Hands Kids for a Cause group, was overjoyed with the number of donations collected.

  “We did awesome. A lot of people donated,” she said. In addition to the gifts, the group also collected financial donations, which will in part go towards paying for gas, parking, meals, and other needs of families with a child undergoing treatment for illnesses.