The Macklin family is being recognized for stepping up in a major way to help feed hungry families this past summer.
Macklin's Farm Produce generously donated 163 bushels of apples, squash, cabbage, green peppers and cauliflower to the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
Inn Executive Director Myles Vanni said that amounted to about $5,000 worth of food that would otherwise have gone to waste.
He said they're extremely grateful for the support for their popular mobile market.
"Our mobile market program runs from July to the end of October, and we're at 15 neighbourhoods and communities across Sarnia-Lambton every week," said Vanni. "We have about 1,200 individuals that will come and access the mobile market and get fresh and healthy vegetables every week. That's so important. When you're struggling to make ends meet, healthy food is the most expensive in the grocery store and that's what you tend to cut back on. So, this is a great program to help people with their health."
Vanni notes that the Inn has noticed about a 25 per cent increase in demand for the mobile market. In the past, they'd assist around 900 people weekly.
"We also have to give a special mention to our Golden K Kiwanis Club," he said. "Their volunteers would go and help pick some of the apples or squash from the fields and make sure that's serving people rather than rotting away."
Both Macklin's and Golden K members were recognized during the club's meeting on Tuesday morning.
