Northumberland United Way announces Week of Caring results
Collin Whitehouse
By Cecilia Nasmith
Northumberland United Way announces that their first Week of Caring – a twist on their annual Day of Caring – raised $19,250 to help get food vouchers to those who need it most.
Whereas the Day of Caring was a one-day volunteer extravaganza, fielding volunteers to do such hands-on work as landscaping, painting and repairs for charities and non-profits, the Week of Caring supports the Northumberland Eats food voucher program that is run as a team effort by Northumberland County and Northumberland United Way.
More than 24 local non-profit organizations provide the food vouchers – which not only offer food support to individuals and families, the program but also supports local businesses across Northumberland County.
Since the program launched in December, more than 6,000 vouchers have been distributed across our community by participating social service organizations to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. They can be used like cash at nearly 20 participating restaurants and food vendors throughout the county.
“We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity we have received from residents in our community who continue to step up and support those when they need it most,” Northumberland United Way Chief Executive Officer Bobbie Dawson said in the announcement.
“We are very pleased to be participating in the Northumberland Eats program and receive vouchers through Week of Caring,” Community Health Centres of Northumberland Community Health Promoter Pam MacDougall added.
“As we distributed 65+ boxes of food last week we were very happy to distribute 49 Northumberland Eats vouchers. Individuals were thrilled to receive the vouchers and sincerely thanked us. One individual said, ‘This is awesome. You have made my weekend.’
“It is the generous support of so many companies and individuals that made the Week of Caring a huge success, and a special thank you to Northumberland United Way for coordinating and supporting the Week of Caring.”
Dawson referred to Partners in Caring – those local industries who have provided the volunteers who have made each year's Day of Caring such a success. The list would include Cameco Corporation, CpK Interior Products, SABIC, Akzo Nobel, and Lakefront Utilities, all of whom came together this year to raise a collective $15,750 for the Northumberland Eats food voucher program
“Thank you to our Partners in Caring who enthusiastically adjusted their annual Day of Caring donations to instead support our Week of Caring for Northumberland Eats,” Dawson said.