Goodfellows expecting record need for holiday food hampers
With demand for Christmas hampers expected to grow by 30 to 40 per cent this year, the Windsor Goodfellows are still anxiously watching to see how close they'll come to their fundraising target of $350,000.
Goodfellows president Art Reid said it would be several more days before a clearer picture emerges.
“We honestly aren't sure yet where we stand because the money is still coming in,” Reid said.
“We've had to do things differently this year. People are giving in different ways.
“There are a few big companies raising funds, who are still to come in, as well.
“Regardless of where we finish up, we're going to find ways to meet the demand for hampers.”
Friday is the last day to register for a Christmas hamper. The baskets will be distributed by appointment for four days beginning Dec. 15.
On Dec. 14, the Goodfellows will also distribute several hundred baskets to 20 charitable organizations with clients in need.
“I expect we'll give out more than 500 hampers per day,” Reid said.
However, Reid remains optimistic — heartened by the community's response to the limitations COVID-19 has imposed on fundraising efforts.
He rattled off a list of acts of generosity from both individuals and companies.
“We have people coming here to drop off donations like I've never seen before,” Reid said.
Among those donations is a doctor's gift of $7,500, an Anglican church dropped off a cheque for $4,000 this week while a group of supermarket employees raised $3,000 and management matched their donation.
Another supermarket donated $6,000 worth of food.
An organization that donates bikes to children opted to support the Goodfellows as COVID restricted its ability to identify children through the school system. The organization donated $10,000.
“There's a group called the Tecumseh Goodfellows, who aren't part of us, but wanted to help and they raised $50,000,” Reid said.
“The people of this community are stepping up. I expect if we come up a little short of our goals, they'll make sure we get there.”
Reid admits COVID-19 has produced a multitude of challenges for the Windsor Goodfellows not only in fundraising, but also in pushing up demand for hampers and increasing health-and-safety costs.
Next week, the 110-year-old organization will have 25 to 30 volunteers beginning to pack at least 3,000 hampers for distribution. That's an increase of just over 36 per cent from the 2,200 hampers given out last year.
In addition, the Goodfellows have seen demand for school breakfast programs they support grow by a similar percentage from about 20 schools to 29.
“We knew it would be different this year,” Reid said.
“I have to credit our board and volunteers for making this work. They've taken on a tremendous responsibility and workload.”
The key adjustment has been supplementing the annual threeday newspaper sales drive. The paper drive produces about 35 per cent of the Goodfellows' annual revenue and has been held in conjunction with the Windsor Star for 103 years.
Because of COVID-19, the Goodfellows only had about 300 volunteers on the streets or in designated drop-off locations with companies and stores. To protect volunteers and customers, the Goodfellows used poles and buckets to reach out to customers to deliver papers and collect money.
“It wasn't just that we had fewer volunteers, because many were older men and women that couldn't risk exposure, but everyone can see there's less traffic on the roads,” Reid said. “The other challenge is people aren't carrying money. We've been conditioned for six to eight months to use plastic.”
Like all organizations, the Goodfellows have had to pivot to take on the new realities created by COVID. The Goodfellows have turned to digital options by updating their website to accept donations and there's a QR code in the papers they're selling to allow smartphones to scan and donate.
In addition, the organization has expanded its mail-in campaign with some success.
“Our mail lady told us she's bringing in the letters in bunches every couple of days because she can't fit them in our box,” Reid said.
The Goodfellows have also got new and significant sponsorships from Enbridge Gas and Canada Waste Management.
Zehr's has also stepped up by selling the organization food for their hampers below the company's cost. Zehr's delivered two transport truckloads of food to Goodfellows Thursday.
Reid said there's also been more of an effort from companies and their employees to run campaigns internally.
“Maybe we have to look at keeping some of these different approaches for the future,” Reid said.