By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
The Kent Federation of Agriculture is encouraging Chatham-Kent farmers and producers to support local families experiencing food insecurity by donating to its annual Food Day initiative.
The KFA will be collecting food donations on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Salvation Army Church, 46 Orangewood Blvd. in Chatham, in honour of Canada’s Agriculture Day.
Donations will assist the Chatham-Kent Salvation Army food banks in Ridgetown, Blenheim and Wallaceburg and the Outreach for Hunger food bank in Chatham.
The donations will be collected from 9-11 a.m.
The KFA recently sent letters to individuals and businesses that donated to last year’s Agriculture Day collection.
“The goal is to assist local families that are experiencing food shortages and hardships,” read a statement from the KFA. “We are extremely thankful for the generosity of our supporters and would like to offer you the opportunity to partner with us.”
“This can be done by donating local food products or financial contributions used to purchase food products,” it said.
The initiative isn’t limited to the agricultural community; everyone in Chatham-Kent is welcome to bring in store-bought non-perishable food donations during the collection period.
Monetary donations are also welcome and will be used to purchase meat products in bulk for distribution by the food banks.
Monetary donations can be sent by e-transfer to the KFA at kfa@uoguelph.ca or dropped off at their office at 120 Main St. E. in Ridgetown on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.KFA’s Food Day is held in conjunction with Canada’s Agriculture Day, which is held annually on Feb. 22.
