Noelle's Gift needs your votes as they hope to secure some much-needed funding from My Giving Circle.
The Australia-based organization is giving away a million dollars to charities this year, including $70,000 during this intake.
The ten Canadian not-for-profits with the most votes will get $9,000 apiece. My Giving Circle is also supporting initiatives in Australia, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States.
As of April 8, Noelle's Gift was in eighth spot out of over 700 different Canadian charities.
Spokesperson Lynn Paquette said the early support means the world to them, especially since the need is always increasing.
"It will help with the nutrition program with the schools," said Paquette. "The children that require food and boots and socks, it will help replenish the closets at the schools that we've installed. Each of the school boards receives a lump sum every year, sometimes twice a year. It really helps the students that are in need. When we compare this year to last year, the need is up about 60 per cent."
Paquette said they've budgeted about $111,000 this year toward the school nutrition program, up from $90,000 in 2023.
"That's just Sarnia-Lambton," she said. "We've also added Chatham-Kent which is another $9,000. We also support some other nutrition programs, such as the Inn of the Good Shepherd and other programs similar. We've budgeted around $20,000 for those. The budget for our closet initiative is at around $100,000."
Paquette said she's always amazed by the generosity of the local community.
"We often talk about how wonderful our community is and how much support they give to everyone," said Paquette. "It's amazing, I love being here." Paquette said they need to top 2,000 votes to even be considered for the funding, but said they were under 600 away at last check.
Votes can be made once per week.
While monetary donations can also be made, they aren't required to cast a ballot.
The campaign wraps up at the end of June.
You can go to www.mygivingcircle.org for all of the information.