Tag Archives: Lanark County Food Bank

Supporting two vital community organizations – one Smile Cookie at a time

Mississippi River Health Alliance President & CEO Brad Harrington, Christa Lowry, Mayor of Mississippi Mills, Deputy Mayor Rick Minnille, Councillor Mary Lou Souter, Jane Torrance, Councillor for Almonte, Mississippi Mills, Mississippi Mills CAO Ken Kelly, AGH-FVM Foundation Chair Seth Richards, AGH-FVM Foundation Board of Directors Nancy MacGuirr and Emily Arbour and Lanark County Food Bank-The Hunger Stop Manager Tammy Parent. Photo credit: Submitted.
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As sure as flowers will sprout – Spring is Tim Hortons’ time to show their support for their community – one Smile Cookie at a time.

From April 28 to May 4 100% of the proceeds from the Carleton Place and Almonte Tim Hortons’ locations will support the Carleton Place District Memorial Hospital Foundation and Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation and the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop.

Cookies will be sold for $2 each, with the Food Bank and Hospital Foundations splitting the proceeds 50/50.

Lanark County Food Bank-The Hunger Stop Manager Tammy Parent, Scot Moore, owner, Robyn Arsenault, Executive Director of the Carleton Place Memorial District Hospital foundation, Paolo Villa member of the foundation, Lisa Peters owner, owner-in-training James Moore, Carleton Place Mayor Toby Randall, and Donna Hamilton volunteer coordinator with the hospital foundation. Photo credit: Submitted.

“The Smile Cookie campaign brings our community together in the sweetest way possible,” says Robyn Arseneau, Executive Director of the CPDMH Foundation. “The energy and enthusiasm we see each year is absolutely heartwarming. Every cookie truly makes a difference for patient care at our hospital.” 

“One cookie might seem small, but together they create a wave of support that nourishes our entire community. Since the food bank relies entirely on public donations, the funds from this campaign will cover our milk bill for six months, ensuring that the 1,900 people we serve each month continue to receive this essential item,” Tammy Parent, Manager for The Hunger Stop.

The Lanark County Food Bank is a non-denominational, non-political organization sustained solely by private donations. It is a needs-based food bank; providing food to everyone who comes to the door asking for help.

RCL Automotive launches 2024 Build a Mountain of Food Campaign

BAM Kick Off
The annual RCL Automotive Build a Mountain of Food campaign has been launched for 2024 with representatives from 11 local food banks across Lanark and Leeds Grenville counties getting updated on what’s to come. Photo credit: Submitted [Jim Wright photo].
LAURIE WEIR

The 2024 Build a Mountain of Food campaign is set to kick off its 17th annual food drive on Saturday, Nov. 9, with initial stops in Almonte and Carleton Place. This initiative aims to support local food banks across 11 communities.

To date, the food drive has collected 2.1 million pounds of food, and nearly $1.7 million in cash donations. This drive supports the local food banks with 100 per cent of all food and cash raised on the day. 

Local food banks play a crucial role in addressing hunger in the region, assisting a diverse population that includes seniors, single parents, the working poor, and many children.

Supporting Local Communities

The Build a Mountain of Food Campaign will span 11 towns and villages, including Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Merrickville, Athens, and Delta. A series of food blitz days will be organized at various grocery stores to encourage donations of food and cash. All contributions made will remain within the respective communities.

Ongoing Coverage

Regular coverage will be posted by myFM 88.1 with promotional announcements and weekly on-air interviews featuring local food bank representatives, along with reports from food blitz locations. Your TV will also offer continued coverage of the campaign, as will Hometown News, both online and in print.

Additionally, the Build a Mountain of Food Facebook page will provide extensive video coverage, including live streaming from all campaign locations and special interviews with contributing businesses and community organizations.

Join the Effort

The campaign encourages community members to engage through Facebook Live, allowing participants to view and share the event from anywhere at any time. To stay updated, use the hashtag #BAM for the latest developments.

Important Dates

Saturday, Nov. 9

Almonte: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jonsson’s YIG.
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop).
Carleton Place: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Mitchell’s YIG, FreshCo, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop).

Saturday, Nov. 16

Perth: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Metro Perth, Barnabe’s Your Independent Grocer, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Perth Good Food Bank.
Lanark: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Lanark Civitan Hall.
In support of the Lanark Highlands Food Pantry.

Saturday, Nov. 23

Smiths Falls: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jonsson’s YIG, Food Basics, The Garden Market, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.

Saturday, Nov. 30

Elgin: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Gordanier Freshmart.
In support of the Elgin Food Bank.
Westport: 12 to 4 p.m., at Kudrinko’s.
In support of the Westport Food Bank.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Portland: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Portland LCBO and RBC.
In support of the Portland Food Bank.
Merrickville:   1 to 4 p.m., at the Merrickville Food Market.
In support of the Merrickville Lions Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Athens: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Athens Fresh Market.
In support of the Athens Food Bank.
Delta: 1 to 4 p.m. at the Delta Country Market.
In support of the Delta Food Bank.

Join the 15th Annual Sandy Claus Stocking Drive to bring Christmas cheer to Lanark County Food Bank

LEFT: Christmas stocking box. RIGHT: Sandy Schappert holding Christmas stockings. Photo submitted.

Help the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop put a little Christmas cheer in client’s homes this year for its 15th annual Sandy Claus Stocking Drive.

The Sandy Claus Stocking Drive began with Sandy Schappert 15 years ago, an idea sparked when her late husband Hank remarked while volunteering at the Food Bank that recipients often said, “this is the only gift I get to open Christmas morning.”

The Food Bank has some stockings on hand if need be, which can be filled with such ideas as Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Shampoo, Conditioner, Body wash, Multi-blade

razors, Nail file, Nail clippers, Shaving cream, After-shave lotion, Moisturizing lotion, Loofa, Hairbrush, Comb, Dental floss, Deodorant, Liquid hand soap, Bar soap, Wet wipes, and, perhaps a small sweet.

If you’d like to donate a stocking full of toiletries and goodies, please mark them His or Hers and drop them off at the Donations and Deliveries door Monday and Wednesday between 9:30 a.m.—noon, Tuesday and Thursday between 4—6 p.m. and Sunday between 1 — 3 p.m. at the Food Bank at 84 Mill Street in Carleton Place or contact Lynn at lynnyounghusband@gmail.com.

Your generosity will put a smile in someone’s heart Christmas morning.

Article Submitted.

Holiday Smile Cookies supporting Lanark County Food Bank

Tim Hortons Smile Cookies
Photo credit: Submitted.

All four Tim Hortons in Almonte and Carleton Place are supporting the Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop with this year’s Holiday Smile Cookie campaign.

The Lanark County Food Bank – The Hunger Stop thanks the owners of our local Tim Hortons Lisa Peters and Scot Moore for such amazing community support.

“We are incredibly excited to be part of this initiative,” said Karen Lomas, LCFB Board Chair. “The food bank operates entirely on donations and we are in awe of how the community steps up time and time again. Tim Hortons choosing us for the first time to be the recipient of the Holiday Smile Cookie proceeds will enable us to answer the need of our ever increasing client base.”

The LCFB feeds over 1,200 people each month, 40 per cent of which are children. Clients come from a 770 square kilometre area, from White Lake to Franktown, and Ashton to Innisville including the towns of Almonte, Pakenham, Carleton Place, Clayton, and the Township of Beckwith.

From Nov. 13 to 19, share some holiday magic through the Tim Hortons’ Holiday Smile Cookie campaign. The cookies will be sold for $1.50 each, with 50 per cent of the proceeds supporting the food bank. The remaining 50 per cent goes to another very good cause, the Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps!

Plan ahead and fill out a preorder form and drop it off at any of the Tim Hortons locations in Almonte and Carleton Place at least 48 hours in advance to allow our local Tim Hortons to prepare and co-ordinate all orders.

Article Submitted.

 

The 2023 Build a Mountain of Food Campaign

Build a Mountain of Food campaign
Photo credit: Shannon McLellan.

The Build a Mountain of Food Campaign is about to embark on its 17th year of collecting food and cash donations in support of local food banks through out the region. This campaign started by Hugh Colton in the town of Perth. The following year he hit all 11 communities. He is the reason this Build a Mountain of Food Campaign exists today!

Title sponsor, RCL Automotive, along with participating media partners, Lake 88 Radio, Your TV, Hometown News and Hinton Auto Group have once again joined forces to support area food banks to help fill the shelves this holiday season. Area food banks continue to play a vital role, providing necessary assistance to many faces of hunger in our communities, including seniors, single parents, the working poor and unfortunately many children. These past couple of years we all have seen an increase in everything around us and food banks are in higher demand.

Again, this year, Build a Mountain of Food Campaign will take place in 11 local towns and villages in support of local food banks. The communities include Almonte, Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, Smiths Falls, Westport, Elgin, Portland, Merrickville, Athens and Delta.

A number of food blitz days are scheduled at area grocery store locations to help Build a Mountain of Food. Volunteers, along with our participating media partners, will be asking people to help fill the vehicles with food to support our local food banks. We pride ourselves on the fact that 100% of all food and money collected in your community stays in your community. You give where you live. You can follow along with Hometown News in their paper and online paper. They will feature our updates and stories showing the progress of Build a Mountain of Food. Lake 88 will provide ongoing promotional support and weekly on-air interviews and live on-location reports with our food bank representatives. Your TV will also provide ongoing coverage through out our campaign. The Hinton Auto Group will be providing vehicles for donation drop offs. Extensive video coverage of the campaign can be found on our face book page (www.facebook.com/buildamountainoffood), including Facebook live streaming coverage from all of the Build a Mountain of Food locations, as well as special video interviews from our many campaign stops.

Food Blitz Dates and Locations:

Saturday, November 4th

Almonte: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Jonsson’s YIG.
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop).
Carleton Place: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Mitchell’s YIG, FreshCo, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Lanark County Food Bank (The Hunger Stop).

Saturday, November 18th

Perth: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Metro Perth, Barnabe’s YIG, Foodsmiths, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Perth Good Food Bank (The Table).
Lanark: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Lanark Civitan Hall.
In support of the Lanark Food Bank.

Saturday, November 25th

Smiths Falls: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at Andress’ YIG, Food Basics, The Garden Market, and Giant Tiger.
In support of the Smiths Falls Community Food Bank.

Saturday, December 2nd

Elgin: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Gordanier Freshmart.
In support of the Elgin Food Bank.
Westport: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at Kudrinko’s.
In support of the Westport Food Bank.

Saturday, December 9th

Portland: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the Portland LCBO and RBC.
In support of the Portland Food Bank.
Merrickville: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Merrickville Food Market.
In support of the Merrickville Lion’s Club Christmas Food Hamper Campaign.

Saturday, December 16th

Athens: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Athens Fresh Market.
In support of the Athens Food Bank.
Delta: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, at the Delta Country Market.
In support of the Delta Food Bank.

Our mission is simple and clear: to help fill the shelves of our local community food banks to serve the people that depend on them.

Article submitted

Contact: Chris Craig
Phone: 613-285-9072
Email: buildamountainoffood@gmail.com

Carleton Place Councilor holds non-profit summit

St James Parish Hall
Photo credit: Google maps

First-term Carleton Place councilor Sarah Cavanagh held a non-profit summit on Wednesday April 12 at the St James Parish Hall to gather representatives a wide variety of non-profit, charitable, and community service organizations for a discussion among like-minded volunteers looking to provide support for those in need. The afternoon meeting was well attended by members of 100 Women Who Care of Lanark, Rotary, Kiwanis, Cornerstone Landing, Civitan, Planet Youth Lanark County, Lanark County Interval House, Carleton Place and District Youth Centre, Zion Memorial Church Hungry Lunch, and the Lanark County Food Bank among others.

Cavanagh told Hometown News, she believed it would be a great opportunity for different organizations to learn about each other and provide opportunities to discover any overlaps of services as well as gaping needs in the community. She hopes to hold such meetings 4 times a year. Almost all of the groups she invited made it in person and those that didn’t sent along information on their efforts.

She noted the discussions were energetic and focused on how to make the biggest differences with the resources available. While the groups were known to each other, information on evolving mandates and new projects were gladly exchanged and provided opportunities to examine common intersections of how needs could be met. She pointed, as an example, to the common complaint of finding space for events and meetings among the groups and the productive discussion that ensued on communicating with churches to help fill that need. They also discussed the need for a quick-reaction system to deal with emergencies through a communication system to connect those in need with the right resources in a timely manner.

Cavanagh said she will capture the day’s events and discussions in an information sheet to be shared with the participants and their organizations which can be used as a data resource.

Article by Brain Turner

Lanark County Food Bank’s Sandy Claus is already calling on her elves

Annual Stocking Drive
Photo submitted.

It may be Fall but the Lanark County Food Bank Stocking Drive is already on. Because clients only access the Food Bank once a month, stockings start being handed out in the middle of November, so you can see why when we say Christmas is “just around the corner” we mean it.

Our minds are already making merry and starting to collect for the LCFB – The Hunger Stop 13th Annual Christmas Stocking Drive.

Sandy Schappert, aka Sandy Claus, is the spirit behind the Christmas Stockings acting on a remark made by her late husband Hank Schappert, while volunteering at the Food Bank. We often hear from recipients, “It is the only gift I get to open Christmas morning.”

If you’d like to donate a stocking, or the funds to fill stockings (receipts available), please drop them off at the Donations and Deliveries door at the Food Bank’s new location -84 Mill Street – or contact Sandra Schappert sandyhank@bell.net. 

We know your generosity will put a smile in someone’s heart this Christmas.

Article submitted

We already know Covid won’t stop Santa Claus – it won’t stop Sandy Claus either

LEFT: Christmas stocking box. RIGHT: Sandy Schappert holding Christmas stockings. Photo submitted.

The Lanark County Food Bank Stocking Drive is already on. A lot has changed but the need for the support of the community is stronger than ever during this year of Covid 19. It may have been a little harder to find something to give thanks for but for the Food Bank’s clients the list was even shorter. Looking ahead we know Christmas will also bring special challenges.

And that’s why we are already turning our minds to making merry and starting to collect for the LCFB – The Hunger Stop 12th Annual Christmas Stocking Drive.

Sandy Schappert is the spirit behind the Christmas Stockings filled with toiletries. Acting upon a remark made by her late husband Hank Schappert, while volunteering at the Food Bank, she has sought to fill the need for toiletries for adults for more than a decade, and each year the community responds.

Because clients of the Hunger Stop can only access the Food Bank once a month, stockings start being handed out in the middle of November, so you can see why when we say Christmas is “just around the corner” we mean it.

Despite all the fall colours, thoughts and actions are underway to ensure that everyone has a Merry Christmas this year. In words of gratitude from the recipients, “It is the only gift I get to open Christmas morning.”
If you’d like to donate stockings, toiletries, or even the funds to fill the stockings (receipts available), please drop them off at the Donations and Deliveries door at the Food Bank’s new location -84 Mill Street – or contact Sandra Schappert: sandyhank@bell.net 613-492-1006, and our own Sandy Claus will make sure your generosity puts a smile in someone’s heart this Christmas.

Article submitted