NET LOSS A FINANCIAL GAIN
After campaign cut short by virus, Peterborough Ladies Volleyball League donates unused gym fees to Kawartha Food Share
Peterborough Ladies Volleyball League players are donating league fees to local charities
The Peterborough Ladies Volleyball League’s $1,000 donation will turn into $6,000 worth of food, says Kawartha Food Share’s chairperson.
When the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of local school gyms to community groups, it ended the Peterborough Ladies Volleyball League’s season prematurely.
Rather than refund the nearly 200 league members for unused gym fees, the 18 team reps voted unanimously to donate the remaining $1,000 to a local charity.
“Kawartha Food Share stretches across the city of Peterborough as well as the county and many of our players live in the county, as well. It seemed like the best way to reach everyone who was in need,” said Cathy Orr, the league’s media liaison.
“We wanted to benefit something COVID-related and we knew the need was there. So many people have been affected by COVID-19 and so many families, and children. People who have lost their jobs and who need to use food banks. There is just such a great need out there.”
The league, which has operated for more than 30 years, runs from September to early May. It had two weeks of regular-season games left plus playoffs when schools were closed on March 12.
When the school closures were extended in early April, the league cancelled the remainder of its season. The league, which features players ranging in age from teens to 70, plays its games at Adam Scott Collegiate.
“It was disappointing to not finish out the year,” Orr said.
“So many nurses and health-care workers play in our league. We were concerned for them. We knew a lot of people were going away for the March break and we were concerned for them, as well. We knew the schools were not going to be open again any time soon to finish off the season,” she said.
“We’ve been waylaid before by snowstorms, so we have gone into the middle of May to finish off our playoffs, but this has never happened. Initially, it was a shock and then, when we saw what was going on around the world, we knew we had to move quickly and take it seriously and support people in the community.”
Kawartha Food Share chairperson Dave Ralph said, because the warehouse can purchase food in bulk, every dollar donated can be turned into $6 of groceries.
“We buy by the skid load,” Ralph said.
“We can’t go out into the community right now and ask for money. These are sensitive times for everybody, so to receive donations like the volleyball league is simply amazing.”
The Peterborough Minor Hockey Council recently donated $1,500, he said.
The warehouse supplies goods to 37 food banks in Peterborough city and county.
Prior to the pandemic, 9,500 people a month relied on food banks, and those numbers have increased during the pandemic, Ralph said.
“With a lot of people being laid off and not knowing when they’re going to be able to return to work, they’re going to need to turn to food banks,” he said. “We’re seeing a lot of new clients.”
The volleyball league is the tip of the iceberg in terms of community support, Ralph said.
“I just can’t believe how giving this community is,” Ralph said. “Food donations and cash donations are coming in steady. We’re getting it out to the food banks as fast as it comes in.”
Community partners, including Costco, PepsiCo and Walmart, donate lots of product but Ralph said there is always a need for public donations.
Financial donations can be made at www.kawarthafoodshare.com with tax receipts available for donations of more than $10.
Non-perishable foods can be dropped off at the 665 Neal Dr. facility. Bins are located outside for after-hours donations and at local grocery stores.
Popular items include pasta, sauce, Kraft Dinner, peanut butter, soups and canned pasta.