Anonymous donor holding another grocery giveaway
Niagara’s anonymous grocery donor is prepared to give away more food to help families and residents in need this Easter weekend.
People in need of support from across the region can get a box or bag of groceries Saturday, from 1p.m. to 3 p.m., at Holy Rosary Hall in Thorold, at 35 Queen St.
The anonymous Thorold businessperson has already held two giveaways this year, the most recent one being at the start of the month, when more than 13,600 kilograms of food was handed out. More than 500 people were provided with enough food to last about a week.
“The word’s getting out there more,” said Thorold city Coun. Carmen DeRose, who is instrumental in helping run the events.
“The first time we had about 350 (people) and now we went over 500 and so it’s going to be bigger. And there’s a transport truck full of food, so what’s left over ends up at Community Care.”
During the last event people received blocks of cheese, fresh produce, cereal, rice, peanut butter and other perishable and non-perishable food items.
The food giveaways started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a need presented itself.
“We did it a couple of years in a row, then took a break, and now the donor has got some downtime from their business,” DeRose said.
“They’re focusing on Thorold, wanting to give back to the community that’s supported them all their life.”
DeRose said the average grocery value per person is about $100, but could easily be more. What will be given away Saturday is still a mystery.
DeRose and many volunteers from city council and the Knights of Columbus, will be assisting with the food distribution.
“It makes you feel good you can help your fellow brothers and sisters, in times of need. The sad part is, it’s getting worse. It’s not getting better.”
Said Mayor Terry Ugulini: “The community has always gone the extra mile and we know in these times with inflation and the cost of housing and different things all culminating together, events like this are more important than ever.”
Ugulini stressed without the donor holding events like this, the stability of people needing help would suffer.
“Doing something good for your community with no care about your name being attached to it, that tells you a lot about the person’s character,” he said.