Patricia Marsden-Dole
The response to the virtual community walkathon fundraiser on October 3 was very generous. The Centretown community came together to feed the hungry, looking for help at the Centretown Emergency Food Centre (CEFC) located at Centretown United Church.
This year’s Walkathon for the Centre provided many people with a good reason to get out on a wet autumnal day for a walk under a dripping umbrella. The walkathon complements the pandemic reality that many Centretowners have come to enjoy daily walks along the canal and down past the locks to the Ottawa River. Dogs, children, older adults and all ages in between enjoyed wet feet, wet posters, laughter, good conversations and satisfaction in supporting the fundraiser.
The CEFC also received extra help this harvest season from the coordinators of the Ottawa Emergency Food Centre Plot at the Ottawa East Community Garden (located behind Saint Paul University). The garden has made weekly deliveries of fresh vegetables (10-15 lbs each delivery) up to 20 in all.
Many people living in central Ottawa continue to need extra support during these pandemic times. The generous community response confirmed again for the volunteers, who keep the CEFC going, and those at the board of the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC), that the community supports and shares their ongoing efforts to care for the less lucky sitting on our doorsteps.
With less financial backing from other sources for the coming year, we hope this will get the CEFC over the hump.
