The Food for Life program is not new to Acton. It was started 10 years ago by Reverend Brian Galligan. Previously hosted at St Alban’s Anglican Church, the program was recently forced outside by COVID 19. This tireless group of volunteers helps about 50 families a week, every Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Municipal parking lot between Willow and Main, by Town Hall. “When COVID hit, I lost some volunteers due to age and compromised immunities, but I had so many offers to help, I have had to turn volunteers away,” says Acton Organizer, Kati Legge.
Food for Life is based in Burlington. In 2019 the program rescued more than four million pounds of food from landfills. ‘Rescued’ you ask? According to a survey by Second Harvest, about 60 percent of food produced in Canada is wasted. Food for Life sources, sorts and shares this fresh food from grocery stores and restaurants and shares it with more than 18,000 people in our communities. In Halton Hills, 879 people access the Food for Life and other programs in Georgetown and Acton. Unlike the Food Bank, this program distributes mostly fruits and vegetables with some dairy, bread and meat.
With COVID-19, the program moved from a shopping format, where clients came and selected their items, to a bagged option, where clients arrive and receive fresh items packaged in grocery bags. “Numbers haven’t increased with the pandemic, but the clients have change,” says Legge. “We used to allow group home residents to shop for snacks, but, that had to be eliminated with the bagged food, now we support more families.”
Anyone in need can access the program. Clients drive through the parking lot, stopping at the Food for Life tent. Their name and phone number are collected only to be used in the event of a COVID 19 outbreak. Volunteers load food directly to the cars.
Mother Teresa said, “if you can’t feed a hundred people then feed just one.” If you would like to help by donating, or learn more about the programs offered, you can do so at www.foodforlife.ca
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