TIMMINS - Across the city, people give time, energy, and food to those in need over the holidays.
This week, Darryl MacDonald is delivering 27 food bundles to families in need. After a record-breaking day handing out grocery vouchers on the weekend, Schumacher Lions Club members are also back in action with Daniel Sigelman to deliver food hampers to 48 families.
“Last year we started and I wanted to teach the kids that giving over the holidays is a lot better than receiving,” said MacDonald. “I’m hoping they can continue the tradition someday and do this with me.”
Lions Club treasurer John McCauley said the Stan Fowler Santa Claus Fund food voucher program has seen a steep increase in those needing help in the last few years. Bringing in a new program like the one with Spiegelman who has been providing fresh produce to families in the north for almost 30 years, made sense.
“We only have so much to go around, so we want to make sure the most needy get it first,” he said. “A lot of people have to decide do I buy gifts or do I buy food, so this way what we’re trying to do is help them be able to give their kids a better Christmas."
This is the first time Speigelman has added Timmins to his route for holiday deliveries. Typically, he helps families in New Liskeard and Kirkland Lake.
“He heard what we do with the Stan Fowler Santa Claus Fund and he was hoping to expand his reach up to Timmins,” said McCauley. “We share the same goal, and that’s to make sure no family goes hungry especially at Christmas.”
The Lions Club works with several agencies in town like the Cochrane District Services Board (CDSB), NEOFACS, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre and local First Nations to find those in need for their programs.
MacDonald took nominations from his Facebook post to find families to help.
He's heard from many people who want to help get food to people in need. He is in his second year of putting together the food baskets, which include a turkey, potatoes and other holiday essentials.
“Last year, we only did four, but that was just me doing this kind of thing,” he said. “It’s overwhelming, the support from people, it warms my heart.”
He made sure he could accommodate everyone receiving the food hampers with delivery times throughout the day.
He hopes others will see what he’s doing and set up in some way too. Anyone who wants to help out is welcome to reach out through his Facebook.
“It’s catching on and a lot of people are willing to help out next year,” he said. “We’ll start in October or November and start raising funds and seeing who wants to help out.
