By Eric Powers – Special to the Sydenham Current
The Knox Food Pantry and Soup Cellar has received a $2,000 donation from the Wallaceburg Kinsmen.
This money will help the organization buy food, appliances, or fulfill any other needs as they arise.
“We felt a substantial increase in people that needed food,” Bev Speirs, the pantry organizer, told the Sydenham Current.
“We sometimes provide adult diapers, baby supplies, or toilet paper.”
The cellar has been running for nine years and the pantry has been running for seven.
“Over those years we’ve seen friendships develop, we see people that always sit together and enjoy lunch every week,” said Shirley Lalonde, the soup cellar coordinator.
“We say it’s for the working class that have jobs but a car payment comes up, or kids go back to school, something happens that normally doesn’t, and so it’s there for people when they need it.”
Lalonde: “The Kinsmen are always there voluntarily in the community and so we thank them for that.”
The Wallaceburg Kinsmen has been organized and doing work in the community since 1932.
Sheldon Parsons, Wallaceburg Kinsmen member, was at the cellar on the Kinmen’s behalf to administer the cheque and speak with the public.
“The Kinsmen Community Services are always looking for ways to do things in the community,” Parsons said.
“We know how important this is, we know people come in every week for assistance, support, or help and we want to provide funding to help this program.”
Parsons added this donation may be the first one, but it won’t be the last.
“The Kinsmen are always giving,” Parson said.
“Whatever the Kinsmen or Kinsmen community services makes goes back into the community.”
