September 19, 2019
Hamilton & Oshawa, ON – Did you know that every summer, food banks across Canada experience a shortage of donations? While many of us were busy enjoying cottages and warmer weather, those living in poverty have an increasingly difficult time feeding their children while school is out. Sometimes, foodshare spaces and food banks cannot open if they do not receive enough donations.
Over the past two months, the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority has been collecting donations from its employees and port partner businesses to help #FightHungerThisSummer. We’re happy to share that as a result, over 860 lbs of food donations, non-perishables, hygiene and baby products were donated to Hamilton’s Welcome Inn Community Centre in the North End and Oshawa’s Simcoe Hall Settlement House.
These worthy organizations create a safe space for everyone dealing with food insecurity. It’s difficult to imagine the stress that parents deal with when they do not have enough food to feed their families or when they’re trying to navigate finding employment in a new country where they may not speak the language. It is the reality for many living in both Hamilton and Oshawa.
Following the amalgamation of Hamilton and Oshawa’s ports, the organization was thinking about a community-focused campaign that could span both cities and give back in a tangible way.
Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign including our employees, our port partners—Heddle Shipyards, Bunge, QSL, the Hamilton Tiger Cats, and REfficient—as well as our generous Harbour West Marina boating customers! This would not have been possible without you.
Thank you from Welcome Inn and Settlement House!
“You have truly impacted the lives of people living in our community. Thank you so much for your generosity and all of your hard work!” Krista Rao, Community Program Coordinator at Welcome Inn
“You have no idea what this means to the community and the families we support. Your generosity has meant so much to so many.” – Kate, Food Bank Coordinator at Settlement House
