The students at Ursuline College Chatham (UCC) are again collecting food for their 19th annual Lancers Scare Hunger Food Drive.
The UCC students said they would appreciate the community's donations on October 29.
They will be collecting non perishables and canned goods throughout Chatham on October 29 between 5 and 8 p.m.
The students are asking residents to leave their light on and items on the porch to be collected. Those who are not at home during collection hours are welcome to drop off food or financial donations at UCC during regular school hours or on the evening of October 29.
All collected items will go to the Chatham food bank, said UCC teacher Abby Kalp.
"Thank you for helping us do some good for the community," said Kalp.
UCC Principal Lisa Harnarine is proud to see her school community come together year after year to support this important cause, demonstrating their Catholic values by helping those in need.
“A special thank you to our outstanding student leaders from the UCC Cares group for helping to organize this initiative," said Harnarine.
Grade 12 student Diya Thekkanath has been involved with Lancers Scare Hunger since Grade 9, volunteering alongside a group of friends. She also helps organize the event as a member of UCC Cares.
“Not only are you doing a good thing, but it’s also really fun,” Thekkanath noted. “It’s a great way to get volunteer hours as well as get involved in the community.”
Catholic elementary schools in Blenheim, Ridgetown and Wallaceburg will also participate in support of local food banks in those communities.
The ‘Lancers Scare Hunger’ event is the biggest food drive of the year for Chatham Outreach for Hunger.
“We have seen a huge increase in the number of families facing food insecurity here in Chatham-Kent over the past year,” said Brenda LeClair, Executive Director of Chatham Outreach for Hunger. “This event has a tremendous impact on the families who receive food hampers during stressful times. Lancers Scare Hunger is a lifeline to so many and lets them know the community cares.”
While all non-perishable food items are greatly appreciated, Outreach for Hunger in Chatham is currently in need of items families enjoy putting on the table, including the following:
- Breakfast foods and lunch snacks (e.g. orange and apple juice, oatmeal, pancake mix, canned fruit, pudding cups, school snacks)
- Protein foods (e.g. tuna and canned meat)
- Personal hygiene products (e.g. toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo)
Chatham Outreach for Hunger is asking residents to check the best before dates on their donations.
Outreach for Hunger accepts monetary donations as well to cover its operating costs and food purchases. The donations are tax-deductible, and a charitable receipt will be issued for each monetary donation.
The public can make a monetary donation to Outreach for Hunger by using one of the following methods:
Online - CanadaHelps.org. Click here to make a donation.
Mail - 10 Wellington Street West, P.O. Box 953, Chatham, Ontario N7M 1H8 -- Ensure to provide name and address with donations to get a charitable receipt.
Drop off - 10 Wellington Street West, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4p.m.
Last year, Outreach for Hunger noted it had 989 new visits, 11,078 total served, 5,323 total households served, and 14,325 school lunches provided.
"A special thanks to our generous donors and volunteers. Without your support Outreach for Hunger wouldn’t be able to service our community," the food bank added.
Outreach for Hunger is a registered charity that has been serving the community for 38 years.
