Patricia Marsden-Dole
High food prices, rising rents, and the general cost of living are a worry for all of us right now.
For some in our community, these issues decide what we eat and where and how well we live.
Our Centretown Community Food Centre (see the story in the August BUZZ) tries to supply clients once a month with three to four days worth of groceries. Much of this food is donated by the 22 member churches of the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee (CCSAC), the body that founded the emergency food centre 45 years ago.
Several Centretown churches are founding members of CCSAC and have continually supplied food, donations, and especially volunteer help in bagging groceries, soliciting donations, and helping clients with referrals to support services when necessary.
You can help too, by walking and raising funds in the annual Walk for the Centre on October 1.
CCSAC began in 1978 as an “emergency measure” that was expected to be needed for a couple of years, but has turned into one of the busiest of the city’s food banks. With the pandemic and its after-effects on the economy and inflation, it has been seeing a large increase in demand. That means more food is needed to meet that demand.
The centre serves not only Centretown but also the Glebe, Old Ottawa South, and Old Ottawa East. It recently moved from 507 Bank Street to 370 Catherine Street.
The walkathon is CCSAC’s major fundraiser, and highlights for the public the serious food insecurity faced by many people in central Ottawa. It’s also an afternoon community event for the family.
Starting and ending at City Hall, it opens by highlighting the work of the centre throughout the year. Then the Sons of Scotland pipers will encourage walkers to set out – across Laurier Avenue and into Confederation Square.
So save the date – Sunday, October 1 – and plan to come out to support the Centretown Community Food Centre and better food security for all in our neighbourhoods. Events get under way at 1:30 p.m., and the walk will start just after 2 p.m.
People are encouraged to donate online at www.centretownchurches.org/walkathon but there will be a registration table available where on-site donations can be made. Tax receipts are provided.
Bring a friend, or bring your pet – all are welcome! Organizers are encouraging walkers to take photos as there are prizes for the best pictures. More information is available at www.centretownchurches.org
Let’s make this year’s Walk for the Centre the best one yet!