The results are in: Vince’s S.O.S. Food Drive raises $12,000 for local shelters

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SHARON: Vince’s S.O.S. Food Drive recently demonstrated that small donations can make a big difference, in this case for four local shelters: Blue Door (East Gwillimbury), Inn From The Cold (Newmarket), North House (Uxbridge), and My Sister’s Place (South Simcoe). For two weeks, starting September 14, Vince’s customers were asked to donate $2, $5, or $10–both at the cash register and online. Unlike other food drives, where customers purchase bags of pre-selected non-perishable foods, Vince’s S.O.S. Food Drive requested monetary donations to buy items specific to the needs of each shelter. This can include fresh produce, dairy, and other healthy meal options. “We’re able to take advantage of volume pricing unavailable to consumers,” said Giancarlo Trimarchi, partner at Vince’s. “Funds can be stretched further, which really benefits these organizations–especially during times like these.” The total raised by customers from the four main stores was $5,968. But with Vince’s matching the donations dollar for dollar (and rounding up), the amount distributed between all four charities will be $12,000. To cap off the success of this food drive, Gray Ridge Egg Farms–a Vince’s vendor–will also be donating 50 cases of medium eggs. “We are so pleased with the generosity from our customers, our vendor, and the participation of our front-end staff,” said Maria Ciarlandini, Vince’s Community Ambassador. “This will be welcome news for our shelters, who have really struggled under COVID-19.” These are the recipients of Vince’s S.O.S. Food Drive: North House assists the most vulnerable in the townships of Brock, Scugog and Uxbridge through a spectrum of housing supports to help them get back on their feet and into a safe, stable home. North House also offers a Food Assistance Program, which has been essential during the pandemic–in particular to those clients who have been sheltering in place or have lost their incomes. For 31 years, My Sister’s Place has been in operation as a women’s shelter, serving south Simcoe County. The organization was established as a non-profit, charitable entity in May 1987, and has exclusively worked towards ending violence against women and their children. My Sister’s Place is a 12-bed shelter, offering emergency housing and crisis counseling. Services also include outreach and legal advocacy, as well as transitional housing. Blue Door, located in York Region, provides safe and supportive emergency housing, along with housing services and supports for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Founded in 1982, they operate three sites: Leeder Place for families, Porter Place for men, and Kevin’s Place for male youth. Community partners, staff and volunteers work tirelessly to provide wraparound supports and resources including housing, mental health, skills enhancement/education, protection from intimate partner violence, settlement, legal support, and more. Newmarket’s Inn From The Cold supports people experiencing chronic homelessness. They provide a seasonal emergency shelter, transitional housing, a seven-day, daytime drop-in program, case management, and more. A small staff team and more than 200 volunteers work with clients on their journeys out of homelessness–supporting them every step of the way.

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