Food donations sought by Grape Stomping mayors

St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik is once again challenging his counterparts to get their feet purple and support local charities.

The 44th annual Mayors’ Invitational Grape Stomp this Saturday at noon in Montebello Park will see participating mayors and councillors stomping grapes in an attempt to make the most grape juice.

But they’re also vying to collect the most nonperishable food items for their communities’ charities.

Last year’s “stomp out poverty” initiative during the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival raised more than 1,665 kilograms of nonperishable food items as well as cash donations.

Sendzik had the fastest feet in 2016 while Welland city Coun. Bonnie Fokkens collected the most donations.

They are both competing again this year with Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Pat Darte, Wainfleet Mayor April Jeffs and Thorold City Coun. Sergio Paone.

Residents can support their favourite stomper by dropping off donations this week at city and town halls and other locations listed.

Sendzik - Supporting Community Care St. Catharines

- City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Community Care of St. Catharines on North Street 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Darte - Supporting Newark Neighbours

- Niagara-on-the-Lake Town Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jeffs - Supporting Volunteer Firefighters’ Christmas Basket program

-Wainfleet Town Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Meridian Credit Union on Highway 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fokkens - Supporting Open Arms Mission

- Welland City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., King Street Fire Hall or Open Arms Mission

Paone - Supporting Community Care Thorold

-Thorold City Hall 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or Community Care Thorold 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Residents can donate to Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold in other ways during the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. A donation barrel will be set up at the entrance to Montebello Park on Lake Street near William Street.

On grande parade day Sept. 23, fresh food donations, as well as non-perishable, can be made at St. Catharines city hall.